August 6, 2010
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Prime Minister Naoto Kan says nuclear deterrence is necessary for Japan, even though it maintains its non-nuclear principles.
Kan spoke to reporters on Friday after attending the annual ceremony held in Hiroshima to mark the 1945 US atomic bombing of the city.
He referred to a peace declaration delivered by Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba. The mayor called on Japan to get out from under the so-called nuclear umbrella, or security provided within the framework of the bilateral alliance with the United States, a nuclear superpower.Kan said he agrees with the mayor on the need for nuclear disarmament and shares his wish that disasters like the 1945 atomic bombings never be repeated.
He stressed, however, that Japan needs nuclear deterrence in a world where weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, are widespread.
But Kan reaffirmed that this government will continue to observe Japan's principles of not possessing, producing or allowing the entry of nuclear arms.
2010/08/06 12:54(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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