At the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Preparatory Committee meeting underway in New York, China demands action to halt Japan’s nuclear armament and compel acceptance of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections.
China Targets Japan’s Nuclear Shift
Officials presented a pointed statement on April 29, opened to delegates on April 30, criticizing Japan’s shift away from its longstanding “three non-nuclear principles.” These principles, established in 1967 under Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, prohibit possession, production, or introduction of nuclear weapons.
Recent developments, including plans for long-range missiles capable of reaching U.S. nuclear bases, raise alarms. China asserts these moves threaten national security and violate NPT commitments, urging global pressure to block such proliferation.
Strong Rebuke to Japan’s Arsenal Plans
“We reject pressure from additional sanctions resolutions and insist non-nuclear states like Iran face no such threats,” Chinese representatives declared. They call on Japan’s government to reaffirm the three principles and abandon nuclear retaliation options.
China highlights Japan’s plutonium stockpile from nuclear reactors as a proliferation risk. Officials stress the need for IAEA to intensify safeguards, noting that by late 2024, Japan separated 44.4 tons of plutonium—enough for roughly 5,500 warheads.
Global Nuclear Trends and NPT Context
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports China rapidly expanding its arsenal, from about 300 warheads in 2020 to around 600 by early 2025—a near doubling in five years.
The NPT, effective since 1970, convenes 191 nations every five years for review. This session runs through May 22, addressing key challenges amid rising tensions.
