Japan’s Takaichi stops short of clear pledge to maintain non-nuclear principles

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday failed to explicitly pledge that Japan will maintain its non-nuclear principles, simply saying the government “is upholding” the long-held policy, as the country marked the 81st anniversary of the US Hiroshima" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="179499" data-entity-type="event">atomic bombing of Hiroshima.At a press conference after a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city, Takaichi said Japan will promote “realistic and practical” efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons, repeating the wording she used in her speech at the ceremony, which she attended as prime minister for the first time.Her government is reportedly considering rethinking the three principles of not possessing, producing or allowing nuclear weapons in Japan as it plans to revise a set of key national security documents by the end of this year.People offer prayers for the victims ahead of the Peace Memorial Ceremony on the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="179499" data-entity-type="event">atomic bombing of Hiroshima at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. Photo: EPA/JIJI Press“It’s premature to comment on the final form of the wording as we are in the middle of work to revise the documents before year-end,” Takaichi, known for her hawkish views on national security, told reporters.