Abe rules out possibility that Japan will possess nuclear weapons

HIROSHIMA -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ruled out the possibility on Aug. 6 that Japan will arm itself with nuclear weapons in the future.

"There is no way that Japan will either possess nuclear weapons or consider possessing such arms," Abe told a news conference in Hiroshima.

At a press conference on Aug. 3, newly appointed Defense Minister Tomomi Inada stopped short of denying the possibility that Japan will possess nuclear weapons in the future.

"Under the Constitution, there are no restrictions on the types of weapons that Japan can possess as the minimum necessary," she said.

Regarding the defense minister's remarks, Prime Minister Abe said, "Her statement is consistent with the government's policy. I'd like her to do her best as a member of the Abe Cabinet to achieve a world without nuclear weapons."

As for constitutional revisions, the prime minister called for rational discussions on the issue. "I hope that the matter will be seriously discussed in the calm environment of the commissions on the Constitution (of both houses of the Diet), and lead to national debate."