Overview
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that the government will "seriously consider" introducing nuclear‑powered submarines for the Self‑Defense Forces and that no decision has yet been made.
- Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has urged an open debate about revising Japan's postwar non‑nuclear stance and has kept nuclear‑powered vessels on the table as one option.
- Japanese law and the country's three non‑nuclear principles restrict nuclear weapons and limit nuclear uses, so any move toward nuclear‑powered submarines would trigger legal and parliamentary review.
- Tokyo says it will factor in partner actions such as Australia’s decision to acquire nuclear‑powered submarines when updating defense and security documents later this year.
- North Korea condemned the proposal as a "stepping stone" to nuclear arms in a KCNA commentary, signaling heightened regional rhetoric and likely diplomatic pushback if Japan pursues the option.