As a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the NPT, Japan has explicitly undertaken the international legal obligation not to develop or possess nuclear weapons. For some time, senior Japanese government officials have made pro-nuclear remarks, and some Japanese politicians have sought to revise the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles." This seriously departs from Japan's international obligations as a defeated country in World War II and its own peace commitments, openly challenges the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and challenges the post-World War II international order, causing grave concern in the international community. Japan styles itself a "peaceful country," claims to adhere to "exclusively defense-oriented" policy, and cultivates the image of a "victim of nuclear bombing". Why do pro-nuclear arguments keep emerging? This fully exposes the hypocrisy and dangerous nature of certain forces in Japan on nuclear-related issues.

Japan is the largest nuclear threshold state. As the only non-nuclear-weapon state among NPT states parties that possesses reprocessing technology and is capable of extracting weapon-grade plutonium, Japan has operational reprocessing facilities. As is known to all, Japan has a total of over 44 tons of separated plutonium under its management at home and abroad, far exceeding its actual needs for civilian nuclear use. The Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant under construction is designed with an annual reprocessing capacity of eight tons of separated plutonium, which can be directly used in thousands of nuclear warheads. For a country like Japan, it is necessary to exercise strict and effective control through the NPT and the IAEA comprehensive safeguards system. 

China calls on the IAEA to strengthen its safeguards on Japan and address the issue of Japan’s excessive plutonium stockpiles to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation. We strongly urge Japan to comply with international law, abide by the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” and its international non-proliferation obligations, and provide the international community with a clear explanation on the direction of its nuclear policy.