CaliToday (23/11/2025): East Asia’s security landscape, already fraught with rising tensions, has been dramatically unsettled by the Takaichi administration’s move to formally place the review of three crucial security documents including the foundational Three Non-Nuclear Principles onto the national agenda.
For decades, these principles which mandate that Japan shall not possess, produce, or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons into its territory have stood as an inviolable "red line," a core commitment of its post-war, "pacifist" constitution. Now, Tokyo appears ready to scrutinize every restraint, even those long considered sacrosanct.
Nuclear Sharing: The Whispers That Enraged Beijing
The policy review has gone beyond mere defense spending. Within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), discussions have surfaced regarding the controversial possibility of allowing the US to deploy nuclear weapons on Japanese soil, potentially adopting a nuclear-sharing model similar to NATO allies.
Though not yet officially announced, this "hint" of a radical policy shift immediately drew a furious response from Beijing.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning delivered a scathing rebuke, accusing Japan of "deviating from the course of purely defensive policy" and posing a pointed, veiled question: "Japan is rushing to rearm. What exactly are they plotting?"
According to China, Tokyo is not only hiking its defense budget past the 2% GDP target but is systematically dismantling every security constraint. This alleged "rearming" includes expanding military equipment exports and even debating the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. Beijing sternly warned that the Chinese people "will never forgive" such actions.
LDP’s Push: Scrapping Post-War Constraints
In Tokyo, the internal LDP deliberations are intense. The party's National Security Committee is actively shaping a new strategy, driven by urgent observations of China’s military activities around Taiwan, North Korea’s escalating missile program, and lessons drawn from the conflict in Ukraine.
Key demands from influential LDP lawmakers center on a complete overhaul of post-war restrictions:
Defense Spending: Formalizing the target to exceed the 2% of GDP benchmark.
Weapons Export Ban: Some politicians are vocally advocating for the total abolition of all weapons export restrictions, labeling it a "core issue" for Japan's future competitiveness. They argue that if Japan is to effectively navigate the new security environment, these long-standing barriers must be lifted without delay.
The Takaichi government's readiness to challenge the Three Non-Nuclear Principles signals a watershed moment, potentially redefining Japan’s security identity and setting the stage for the most significant regional military buildup since World War II.