Russian Ambassador to Tokyo Nikolai Nozdrev warned that Japan abandoning its non-nuclear status would trigger countermeasures from other countries, state news agency RIA Novosti reported.
Nozdrev said giving up non-nuclear status would directly violate Japan's commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which Tokyo joined as a non-nuclear power. He noted that the step would escalate tension in the Asia-Pacific region and prompt response measures from other nations.
The ambassador added that official Tokyo currently maintains a non-nuclear position, which prevents United States ships equipped with nuclear weapons from calling at Japanese ports.
Hiroshima Memorial Speech
The warning followed remarks by the mayor of Hiroshima at a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the United States atomic bombing. Speaking at the event, the mayor criticized Russia over its actions in Ukraine and accused Moscow of using nuclear weapons as a tool of intimidation, while making no mention of the United States.
