Japanese PM criticizes Russia's nuclear threats amid world's disarmament efforts
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (Getty Images)
The world nuclear disarmament is becoming increasingly complicated due to the nuclear arms reduction. It is also affected by Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons, according to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
During a speech at a commemorative ceremony in Hiroshima dedicated to the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city, the Japanese prime minister noted that Japan was the only country in world history to suffer from atomic bombing.
“The deepening divide in the global community over nuclear arms reduction as well as nuclear threats made by Russia are turning the environment surrounding nuclear disarmament even bleaker,” Kishida said.
He promised that his country would make realistic and practical efforts and lead the international community to strengthen the momentum for nuclear disarmament.
“But no matter how rocky the path toward a 'world without nuclear arms' may be, we simply cannot stop our progress,” the Japanese PM said.
Kishida also pointed to the importance of the proposed Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty to ban the production of nuclear weapons components. He suggested that he would seek to start international negotiations on this treaty.
Nuclear weapons around the world
The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, the DPRK, and Israel have nuclear weapons.
The world's nine nuclear states continue to modernize their weapons. In 2023, they spent a total of $91.4 billion on the arsenals.
After a five-year hiatus, the United States and China have returned to the negotiating table to discuss nuclear weapons.
Washington is developing a new, tougher nuclear strategy. China has pledged not to be the first to use nuclear weapons but is expanding its arsenal.
