80 Years after the Atomic Bombings: Changing Attitudes in Japan

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, 4 Aug 2025

Reiko Ota and Naoaki Nishida – TRANSCEND Media Service

The “Nuclear Taboo” Is Collapsed at Our Feet… What Is the Background for the Acceptance of This Statement?

1 Aug 2025 — As we approach the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, developments suggesting a shift in attitudes toward nuclear weapons within Japan continue. Reports that Japan and the United States conducted tabletop exercises simulating the use of nuclear weapons, and that the Self-Defense Forces called on the U.S. military to “threaten nuclear use,” have sparked strong backlash from atomic bomb survivors. Furthermore, in last month’s House of Councillors election, a candidate who spoke of Japan’s nuclear armament was elected. What does this change mean for Japan, the only country to have been bombed during wartime? (Rieko Ota and Naoaki Nishida)

◆ Reports of a Request for “Nuclear Threatening” from the U.S.
“Instead of relying on nuclear weapons, they are making concrete plans to get involved themselves. This is a significant step.” On the evening of 28 July 2025, Terumi Tanaka (93), the Representative Director of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (i.e. “Hidankyo”), a general-coordinator incorporated association made up of atomic bomb survivors and civic groups, held an emergency online press conference. Deputy Secretary-General Masako Wada (81) also expressed her anger, saying, “How can we, the people of Japan, trust the government like this?”

Tomoko Watanabe, President of the nonprofit organization ANT-Hiroshima, expressed a sense of crisis, saying, “The strengthening of the ‘nuclear taboo’ will destroy Japan, the only country to have been bombed in war.”

The above-mentioned online press conference was hastily scheduled following a Kyodo News article published on the 26th and 27th of July 2025. The article pointed out that the Japanese and U.S. governments are conducting tabletop exercises as part of their regular consultations on Japan’s defense, discussing scenarios in which U.S. military nuclear weapons would be used. It also stated that guidelines were formulated for the first time in December of last year, establishing procedures for intergovernmental coordination in the event of nuclear use. Furthermore, the article reported that during a Japan-U.S. tabletop exercise in February last year simulating a “Taiwan Emergency,” the Ministry of Defense’s top uniformed officer, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Yoshihide Yoshida, repeatedly called for the United States to respond with nuclear threats, citing a scenario in which China threatened to use nuclear weapons.

◆ Defense Minister Nakatani Denies the Allegations: “Baseless”
At the press conference on 29 July 2025, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani commented on the claims of “nuclear threats,” saying, “They are baseless. The exchanges described in the article did not take place.” Yoshida, who will retire on 1 August 2025, also denied the allegations. The Ministry of Defense responded to an interview with “This is the Special Reporting Department” in the same way as Nakatani and Yoshida, stating, “We will refrain from providing further details about the exercise.” However, the Ministry stated that it “is not considering” a request to retract the article.

The reports were met with shock from civic groups working toward nuclear abolition.

At the emergency press conference,  Tatsujiro Suzuki, President of a nonprofit organization Peace Depot, pointed out, “It has become clear that the true nature of the ‘nuclear umbrella’ is the threat and use of nuclear weapons. The very act of holding these exercises increases tensions in the region.” He, pointing out that the United States is more restrained in using nuclear weapons, and criticized Japan, said, “It is astonishing that Japan is debating how to use nuclear weapons when it should be debating how to reduce the risk of nuclear use.”

◆Nuclear Armament “Cannot Be Called Cheap”
In June of this year, nuclear-armed Israel launched a preemptive attack on Iran, suspected of nuclear development, and the US carried out airstrikes. Even in Japan, where memories of the devastation caused by the atomic bombing are fading, the recent unrest overseas has created an environment in which the call for “nuclear armament” is accepted.

But is developing nuclear weapons, which are intended never to be used, a rational defensive measure?

“Can’t be called cheap,” says Nobumasa Akiyama, a professor of international politics at Hitotsubashi University, who specializes in nuclear disarmament. “Building a credible nuclear force requires significant investment in research, development, and manufacturing facilities for weaponization, missiles to carry nuclear warheads, and command and operation systems, all of which must be durable against enemy attack,” he points out.

He also notes that nuclear deterrence “does not necessarily prevent attacks simply by possessing them.” “It’s important to demonstrate to the other party your intention to use it. However, on the flip side, that also means you’re willing to retaliate,” he said, touching on the dangers. “Nuclear weapons cannot deter cyberattacks, and immediately launching a nuclear counterattack against the occupation of remote islands risks quickly escalating the situation. It won’t necessarily function as the panacea for all situations.”

◆Japan’s Nuclear Weapons Could Be a “Trigger for Danger”
If Japan were to shift toward a nuclear strategy, how would other countries react? Sado, mentioned above, said, “As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, Japan has a history of advocating nuclear disarmament. If Japan were to take actions that further the collapse of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), it would likely lose the trust of the international community. South Korea and Taiwan will not remain silent, and nuclear development and nuclear sharing would destabilize the security environment surrounding Japan.”

The United States may also be unlikely to agree. This is because, as in the post-Cold War Era, there is a deeply rooted view in the United States that the U.S. military presence functions as the “bottle cap” that restrains Japan’s military buildup. “The Trump administration is unique, and while opinion within the US may be divided, they will likely fear that Japan’s nuclear program could be a ‘trigger for danger.'” He predicts.

At the end of 2022, the-then Kishida administration of Japan revised three security-related documents, giving Japan counterattack capabilities (the ability to attack enemy bases), and the long-held principle of “exclusively defensive defense” was transformed. Right-wing forces also saw a notable increase in the House of Councillors election.

Sado says, “Deterrence, deterrence, without careful steering, including diplomatic strategy, is extremely fragile. Security that relies solely on force and provokes neighboring countries is dangerous.”

◆Desk Memo
Kazufuni Onishi, Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture of Japan, expressed strong opposition to nuclear armament on X. His response drew critical replies calling him “naive.” So, what are the costs and risks of possessing nuclear weapons? It is unrealistic to think that possessing weapons that will never be allowed to be used is a solution. (Yoshi)

Notes:

1. The hyperlinks and Gothic letters were added by the translator for the convenience of the reader.
2. The views and/or opinions in those hyperlinks added by the translator do not necessarily reflect those of his. In addition, it is either impossible or unavailable for the translator to verify the genuineness of the information in those links. He does not take any responsibility for the contents in those relevant links at all.
3. The views and/or opinions expressed in the above-mentioned article are those of Reiko Ota and Naokaki Nishida, the original authors.  Their views and/or opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Transcend Media Service (TMS) or those of the translator. Therefore, the reader is kindly requested to understand, interpret or judge those views and/or opinions at his or her own responsibility.

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Satoshi Ashikaga is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment. Having worked as researcher, development program/project officer, legal protection/humanitarian assistance officer, human rights monitor-negotiator, managing-editor, and more, he prefers a peaceful and prudent life.  His previous work experiences, including those in war zones and war-torn zones, constantly remind him of the invaluableness of peace.

Original in Japanese:  原爆投下から80年、被爆国で変わりつつある意識 「核のタブー」足元で崩壊…主張が受け入れられる背景は

Translation: Satoshi Ashikaga – Google Translate

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 4 Aug 2025.

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