Beijing warns Japan after PM’s Taiwan comments fuel concerns of nuclear shift

Beijing on Friday voiced deep concern and issued a stern warning to Tokyo against shifting its non-nuclear policy, after comments by Japan’s prime minister about Taiwan

sharply escalated tensions between the two countries.

Sanae Takaichi, who took office on October 21, has been considering revising Japan’s long-standing non-nuclear weapons principles, Japanese media reported on Friday citing government sources.

This came after Japan’s defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, publicly urged the country to consider acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, while Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan had “not ruled out any options” on the issue.

“These fully reveal that Japan is making a major negative policy shift, which sends a dangerous signal to the international community,” Lin told a regular press conference.

“We urge Japan to repent for its history of aggression, stick to the path of peaceful development, stop finding excuses for its military build-up, and take concrete actions to earn the trust from its Asian neighbours and the international community.”