Government Emphasizes Opposition to Iran's Nuclear Weapons Development
The Japanese government is exercising caution with regard to the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a large-scale airstrike by the United States and Israel. While refraining from making official comments, Japan is emphasizing its opposition to Iran's nuclear development, indicating a careful stance with the United States in mind. In contrast, the Japanese media are strongly criticizing the Trump administration's airstrike, labeling it a violation of international law.
According to Yomiuri Shimbun and other sources on March 2, the Japanese government issued a statement by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi the previous day, declaring, "Iran's development of nuclear weapons is absolutely unacceptable," and urging, "Iran must halt its development of nuclear weapons and any actions that destabilize the region."
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also responded to related questions at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the same day, stating, "Our country's (Japan's) consistent position is that the development of nuclear weapons by Iran must never be tolerated." She added, "We will continue to make every necessary diplomatic effort in cooperation with the international community so that the situation can be resolved as soon as possible."
Although the Japanese government has not made its position clear regarding support for the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, it has clearly expressed its opposition to Iran's nuclear weapons, one of the reasons cited by U.S. President Donald Trump for the attack. Yomiuri interpreted this as "showing consideration for the Trump administration's position," and explained that the Japanese government hopes for a swift resolution while maintaining solidarity with the United States ahead of Prime Minister Takaichi's planned visit to the U.S. in mid-March.
Jiji Press also reported that Japan's mention of opposition to Iran's nuclear weapons indicates "a certain understanding of U.S. actions from the perspective of maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime." The outlet further noted, "Japan has long maintained an independent and friendly relationship with Iran, while the United States is its only ally," adding, "The impact of this attack is significant in terms of both the economy and security."
Meanwhile, unlike the government, Japanese media outlets are expressing strong criticism of the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, using the term "assassination" rather than "death."
The progressive-leaning Asahi Shimbun published an editorial on the front page of its morning edition, arguing that the airstrike was "an act of violence that failed to learn from the lessons of history." Asahi voiced serious concern that "the attack on Iran and the assassination of Khamenei will lead to an escalation of violence," and pointed out, "Unilaterally relying on force and infringing on sovereignty constitutes a violation of international law."
The conservative Yomiuri also noted, "President Trump's disregard for international law has become clear," pointing out that the latest attack was carried out without congressional approval. In a separate editorial, Yomiuri wrote, "The United States launched a surprise attack on Venezuela in January and overthrew the anti-U.S. Maduro regime," adding, "We cannot hide our astonishment and concern that the United States has carried out a decapitation operation to remove a national leader who does not follow its will, this time targeting a major power in the Middle East, Iran."
Nihon Keizai Shimbun also argued in its editorial, "The attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, which lacks sufficient legal grounds, is a serious problem," and emphasized that, above all, the expansion of war must be prevented.
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