Overview
- North Korea’s Institute for Japan Studies issued a director’s statement on Dec. 20 condemning a reported Japanese government-source remark favoring nuclear weapons, with state media carrying the message on Dec. 21.
- The statement called the reported comment “extremely provocative nonsense” and insisted any Japanese move to possess nuclear arms must be stopped.
- Pyongyang accused Japan of publicly advocating a nuclear-free world while secretly pursuing armament, portraying this as double standards.
- The institute cited alarm over domestic discussions in Japan about revisiting the Three Non‑Nuclear Principles and exploring nuclear-powered submarines.
- The United States reaffirmed its nuclear umbrella and praised Japan as a nonproliferation leader, while China warned that some in Japan appear to harbor dangerous plans to obtain nuclear weapons.