January 7, 2026

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Humanity continues to face the danger of the use of nuclear weapons. The problem is that nuclear-armed states are expanding their nuclear arsenals and using them as a means to intimidate other countries. While the Trump administration in the United States is investing heavily in advancing the development of new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the Putin administration in Russia is also proceeding with experiments on nuclear-powered torpedoes and the operational deployment of new ICBMs. U.S. allies, including Japan, and NATO are deepening their dependence on “nuclear deterrence”.

Many non-nuclear weapon states are sounding the alarm about this critical situation and calling for action to break the deadlock. The 80th session of the UN General Assembly last year adopted the resolution, “Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons,” which warns that nuclear war would inflict catastrophic damage on humanity, passed with the support of 70% of member states. Ninety-nine countries have now signed and joined the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), accounting for more than half of the 193 UN member states.

Some argue that “the UN is powerless.” Certainly, the current UN faces various problems and limitations. However, the TPNW itself, and the actions of nations striving for a nuclear-free world by leveraging the power of this treaty, clearly demonstrate where the mainstream position of the world lies.

Countries promoting the TPNW, regardless of their stance on “nuclear deterrence”, are aware that nuclear weapons threaten the security of all nations. This is because if “nuclear deterrence” fails, the world would face catastrophic consequences.

Nuclear-armed states can only offer weak counterarguments, such as claiming that their nuclear weapons represent “responsible nuclear deterrence”. For the sake of global security, they should take immediate steps to eliminate their nuclear weapons.

The Takaichi government in Japan, as seen in a senior official at the Prime Minister’s Office calling for Japan to be a nuclear-armed power, is moving to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Japan should abandon this stance, which is unbecoming of the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war, and accede to the TPNW without delay.

Past related article:
> JCP EC Chair Tamura demands dismissal of senior official in PM Office advocating for nuclear-armed Japan [December 20, 2025]