Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi prompted outrage among atomic bomb survivors and leaders of the areas devastated by the bombings by urging the nation to discuss nuclear weapons “without taboos.”

His remarks have been interpreted as suggesting reviewing the nation’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into its territory.

In Nagasaki, 32 organizations, including those representing hibakusha and peace activists, gathered on Aug. 4 to protest Koizumi’s statements.

“Making such remarks at a time when international norms governing nuclear weapons are eroding reveals his shallow understanding of the issue,” Masao Tomonaga, leader of the Nagasaki Hibakusha Notebook Friendship Association, told a news conference.

The groups said they plan to send a formal statement of protest to Koizumi.

Koizumi made the remarks during a discussion with journalist Yoshiko Sakurai on an online program on July 17.

“It is a difficult subject for Japan to discuss, but one topic we cannot avoid addressing is the nuclear issue,” he said. “We must discuss all policies without taboos and move them forward.”

During a visit to Belgium, Koizumi again called for taboo-free discussions on July 22, while referring to moves in Europe to bolster nuclear capabilities.

With the government preparing to revise three key national security documents by the end of the year, speculation has grown that Koizumi may be laying the groundwork for a reconsideration of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

Japan upholds the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a national policy.

However, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has long advocated a review that would include dropping the third principle of not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons.

“Nuclear weapons and human beings cannot coexist,” Shigemitsu Tanaka, leader of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, told the Aug. 4 news conference. “We categorically oppose Japan sharing nuclear weapons or allowing them to be brought into the country.”

In a statement on July 23, Hiroshima Governor Mika Yokota called on the government to maintain the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

“On the understanding that the only way to prevent the risk of nuclear weapon use is through their abolition, I ask that the Three Non-Nuclear Principles be upheld and that every effort be made to move beyond nuclear deterrence through diplomacy,” she said.

Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki also addressed the issue during a news conference on July 31.

“I expect (Koizumi) to fully understand the inhumanity and cruelty of nuclear weapons--see with his own eyes, hear with his own ears and feel with his own heart--before engaging in national security discussions,” he said.

At a news conference on Aug. 4, Koizumi explained the intent behind his remarks.

“As a general principle of defense policy, it is important to discuss policies aimed at protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of our citizens without ruling out any options, while carefully explaining them to the public,” he said.

He also said the government remains committed to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

“I strongly empathize with the earnest desire for a world without nuclear weapons that has been voiced by the areas affected by the bombings and hibakusha,” he said.

According to government sources, Koizumi’s remarks, which were not coordinated with close aides to the prime minister, are regarded as reflecting his personal views.

A Defense Ministry source suggested that he is likely trying to anticipate and align with Takaichi’s wishes.

The Three Non-Nuclear Principles were not on the agenda during the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s discussions on revisions to the three national security documents.

The non-nuclear principles were not mentioned in the party’s recommendations to the government on the national security documents, either.

Given that Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, opposition remains strong within the government to changing the principles.

Whether a review is considered is seen as a matter of “political judgment,” according to a Defense Ministry source.

A senior member of the LDP’s Research Commission on Security, who was involved in compiling the party’s recommendations on the national security documents, criticized Koizumi’s remarks.

“It is questionable for a Cabinet minister to suddenly bring up a subject that the party deliberately refrained from debating due to the considerable public concern surrounding the issue,” the lawmaker said.

(This article was written by Mizuki Sato and Ryo Ikeda.)