Japan's newly elected prime minister is not against deployment of US nuclear weapons

Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba considers it necessary to discuss the prospect of deploying US nuclear weapons.

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The issue of deploying nuclear weapons in the Asia-Pacific region is planned to be discussed during the revision of the agreement on the status of the US contingent in Japan. Ishiba also called for the creation of Japan's own nuclear arsenal to strengthen national security.

Interestingly, in his opinion, the absence of a NATO-like collective self-defence system in Asia increases the risk of new military conflicts in the region. He expressed particular concern over China's growing military activity near the Japanese islands.

According to the Prime Minister, strengthening Japan's military forces will help deter China from using military force in Asia.

"The geopolitical crisis surrounding our country has reached the point where a war could break out at any moment. We need an Asian version of NATO to deter the nuclear alliance of China, Russia and North Korea," Ishiba said.

The Asian version of NATO should take into account the possibility of sharing nuclear weapons with the United States or deploying these capabilities in the region.

It is worth explaining that Shigeru Ishiba will officially become the new Prime Minister of Japan on 1 October after his candidacy is approved by the parliament. Ishiba has been involved in defence issues since the 1990s, consistently advocating for an expanded role for the Japan Self-Defence Forces and a revision of the pacifist provisions of the post-war constitution.

Source: TOKYO Web