Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru stressed on Thursday that the government adheres to the country's Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a set of policy guidelines.
Nihon Hidankyo, an organization representing survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings, issued a statement on the same day. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning group urged the government to uphold the principles, which call for not possessing, not producing and not permitting nuclear weapons into the country.
Kihara told reporters that Japan's position on the principles has remained unchanged as it has consistently followed the path as a pacifist nation since the end of World War Two, and committed to global peace and prosperity.
He also said the government maintains the stance that then-Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya made in 2010 that it was up to future administrations to decide whether to allow US ships carrying nuclear weapons to make a stopover at Japan in the event of emergencies.
Kihara added that as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan will continue to closely cooperate with the international community to realize a world free of nuclear arms.
He added that the country will work toward the goal by promoting realistic and pragmatic efforts to support the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or NPT.
Nihon Hidankyo's statement follows a remark made this month by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae about the principles during a Diet session.
Takaichi was asked whether language expressing Japan's commitment to the principles would be retained when her government revises three national security documents. She replied that it is not yet the appropriate time for her to comment on the issue.

Quiz 1:
What organization urged the Japanese government to uphold its Three Non-Nuclear Principles?
A. United Nations
B. International Atomic Energy Agency
C. Nihon Hidankyo (an organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings)
D. World Health Organization

Quiz 2:
What did Katsuya Okada say in 2010 about US ships carrying nuclear weapons?
A. It was up to future administrations to decide whether to allow such ships to make a stopover at Japan in case of emergencies.
B. The government should always allow such ships to make a stopover at Japan in case of emergencies.
C. The government should never allow such ships to make a stopover at Japan under any circumstances.
D. The government should decide on this matter without considering future administrations.

Quiz 3:
What goal does the Japanese government aim to achieve by promoting efforts to support the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons?
A. To develop more nuclear weapons
B. To allow nuclear weapons into Japan
C. To prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons
D. To encourage other countries to develop nuclear weapons

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: C
Quiz 2: A
Quiz 3: C