Dozens of local assemblies in Japan urge the government to uphold the ‘three non-nuclear principles’.

HIROSHIMA — At least 73 local assemblies in 24 prefectures have submitted formal opinions to the central government calling for the continued adherence to Japan’s “three non-nuclear principles” since the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in October 2025.

The moves are seen as reflecting concern that the principles — not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons — could be debated during a review of the three key security-related documents including the National Security Strategy under Takaichi, who has argued for a reconsideration of the “not permitting introduction” principle.

Resolutions have been passed one after another across Japan, including in the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in assemblies such as those of Kanagawa and Nagano prefectures, as well as the cities of Chiba and Tottori. Seven municipal assemblies in Hokkaido, including Hakodate and Asahikawa, called not only for the principles to be upheld but also for them to be enshrined in law. The written opinions were addressed to the prime minister, the presidents of both Diet chambers, the foreign minister and the defense minister.

The Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly, led by a faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), adopted its resolution unanimously in December 2025. It noted that discussions within the ruling party on revising the three security policy documents had raised concerns about potential changes to the non-nuclear principles. Referring to countries such as Russia, North Korea and Israel, the resolution stated that “while the international environment surrounding nuclear weapons is becoming increasingly severe, it is precisely because of such times that the three non-nuclear principles should continue to be upheld,” and urged the government to heed “the wishes of the atomic-bombed cities for the realization of a peaceful world without nuclear weapons.”

During her 2024 bid for the LDP presidency, Takaichi said, “If it is under U.S. extended deterrence, we must thoroughly discuss the ‘not permitting introduction’ part,” signaling an openness to review. Under the Democratic Party of Japan administration in 2010, then-Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told the Diet that in a national crisis, “the government of the time would decide, staking the fate of the administration,” implying that exceptions could be made. Takaichi said during a lower house election debate in January this year that the Okada statement “remains the government’s position at this stage.”

The LDP plans to release policy recommendations in early June for revising the three key security documents by the end of 2026, reportedly without mentioning changes to the non-nuclear principles. However, some within coalition partner Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party) believe that the principles should be reviewed, drawing attention to how the debate will unfold.