Japan: Japan needs to discuss whether it should possess nuclear weapons in response to North Korea's claimed nuclear test, according to the ruling party's policy chief.
Shoichi Nakagawa, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's policy research council, said yesterday he believed Japan would adhere to its policy of not arming itself with nuclear weapons, but added that debate over whether to go nuclear was necessary.
"We need to find a way to prevent Japan from coming under attack," Mr Nakagawa said. "There is argument that nuclear weapons are one such option. I want to make clear that I am not the one saying this, and Japan will stick to its non-nuclear principles, but we need to have active discussions."
Mr Nakagawa also said that the constitution did not prohibit the possession of nuclear arms, adding that having such weapons might reduce or remove the risk of being attacked.
While some analysts have pointed out the possibility of Japan - the only nation to suffer an atomic bombing - seeking nuclear weapons in response to North Korea's announced test, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has flatly rejected the idea.
- (Reuters)