Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki and Nagasaki Governor Kengo Oishi have publicly opposed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's reported consideration of revising Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles, sparking renewed debate about nuclear policy in the only country to suffer atomic bombings.
At a Monday press conference, Tamaki emphasized Japan's unique historical responsibility: "Understanding the people's desire to abolish nuclear weapons is the prime minister's responsibility." The Okinawa leader stressed that residents of areas devastated by World War II nuclear attacks remain particularly sensitive to nuclear policy changes.
Nagasaki's Oishi echoed these concerns during a separate briefing, stating that any review of the 1967 principles – which forbid possessing, producing, or permitting nuclear weapons on Japanese soil – would be "completely unacceptable" to atomic bombing survivors and their families.
The opposition comes as Japan faces evolving regional security challenges. While the principles have guided national policy for nearly six decades, recent discussions about potential revisions highlight ongoing tensions between historical pacifist values and contemporary geopolitical realities.
