July 19, 2026

Japan has continued to push for looser nuclear restrictions, with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi calling for discussions on nuclear weapons as part of efforts to strengthen the country's so-called defense capabilities, according to media reports.

A Chinese analyst described Tokyo's move as gradually chipping away at nuclear restrictions, warning that the trend, driven by rising neo-militarism, could have an inflammatory effect by fueling extreme sentiments in Japan, posing further serious risks. The analyst called on the international community to firmly oppose nuclear development by a country witnessing a resurgence of militarism.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi claimed in an online program released on Saturday that discussions on nuclear weapons were necessary to strengthen Japan's defense capabilities, according to Kyodo News. While acknowledging that the issue was difficult to discuss in Japan, he claimed it was something that "could not be avoided."

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