Japan's pro-nuke voices worry world

BEIJING - China has urged the Japanese government to make clear its stance on right-wing activists' latest pro-nuclear weapons statements, as the country continues to hold large amounts of weapons-grade nuclear materials.

"In recent years, voices in favor of nuclear weapons have kept emerging in Japan without any clarification from the government," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing on Monday.

Given the country's massive stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear materials, the international community is obviously worried about that, Hua said.

"As a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Japan should adhere to its international obligations, and stick to its own Three Non-Nuclear Principles," according to the spokeswoman.

Japan is reportedly in possession of 331kg of weapons-grade plutonium, which could be used to produce 40 to 50 nuclear weapons, and another 44 tonnes of plutonium for nuclear reactors.

China requires the Japanese government to honor its nuclear non-proliferation obligation and publicly make clear its stance on recent pro-nuclear-weapons statements, Hua said.

She also urged the Japanese government to explain its possession of nuclear materials exceeding its demands.

Japan's former top air force officer, Toshio Tamogami, has reportedly called for Japan to possess nuclear weapons if the country is determined to be a major power that can handle international politics.

"Japanese extreme right-wing activist's statements have fueled China's worry on the country's unbalanced possession of weapons-grade nuclear materials," Hua said.

She labelled such statements "irresponsible," "against international obligations" and challenging peace-loving people all around the world.

Japan pledged in a parliamentary resolution adopted in 1971, the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, that the country shall not produce, possess or allow the entry into its territory of nuclear weapons.

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