December 21, 2025

Akahata ‘current’ column (excerpts)

The first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in Japan was former Prime Minister Sato Eisaku of the Liberal Democratic Party. It was nearly half a century ago. He was awarded the prize in recognition of his advocacy of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles (not to possess, manufacture or allow nuclear weapons to be brought into Japanese territory) and his clear commitment to establishing them as a cornerstone of Japan’s national policy.

His award came as a surprise. At that time, Japan was in the midst of an uproar concerning the testimony of La Rocque, a former rear admiral of the U.S. Navy, regarding the bringing-in of U.S. nuclear weapons to Japan. Furthermore, the arrival of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Midway in Yokosuka Port was sparking waves of protest and anger across Japan.

Given these circumstances, his award was called a “fake peace prize”. Sato himself bluntly stated, “We cannot just say ‘no thanks’ to nuclear weapons. They can be both poison and medicine.” Later, it came to light that PM Sato and U.S. President Nixon had signed a secret agreement allowing the United States to deploy nuclear weapons in Okinawa.

Within the current government led by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, moves to undermine the Three Non-Nuclear Principles have become visible. PM Takaichi has been calling for the deletion of the “not to be brought into” part from the three principles. A senior official at the PM Office recently said, “Japan should possess nuclear weapons.”

Last year, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) received the Nobel Peace Prize. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. People’s desire worldwide for the elimination of nuclear weapons is growing stronger than ever. How dare the government of the only nation to have suffered from being atomic bombed disregard this wish!

A government so distant from the people’s wishes will eventually be forced out of power.

Past related articles:
> JCP Koike demands that PM Takaichi withdraw her intent to reconsider ‘3 non-nuclear principles’ [November 18, 2025]
> Hibakusha win 2024 Nobel Peace Prize [October 12, 2024]
> Gov’t must abolish ‘secret agreement’ with US over bringing-in of nuclear weapons to Japan [May 12, 2016]