Japan has decided against taking part as an official observer at the upcoming U.N. conference on the nuclear weapons ban scheduled for March in New York. Instead of receiving observer status, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on January 25 that lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito would represent the nation at the event, following intense internal debates and external appeals.
This approach comes amid longstanding discussions on Japan's position regarding nuclear deterrence. Ishiba has emphasized that Japan’s reliance on extended deterrence, buttressed by the U.S. nuclear umbrella under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, remains a cornerstone of national security policy—a stance that has influenced his decision to avoid full observer participation.
The choice has provoked criticism from various quarters. The political party Komeito and several hibakusha, including members of Nihon Hidankyo, a notable group of atomic bomb survivors, have called for a more prominent role at the meeting. Prominent voices like Toshiyuki Mimaki, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, expressed disappointment, urging the government to participate fully as an observer, while other advocates argue that Japan's historical experience with the devastation of atomic warfare should compel a clear and proactive stance on nuclear disarmament.
While Japan continues to support the broader goal of eliminating nuclear weapons, it remains cautious, pointing out that key nuclear-armed states have not signed on to the treaty. This reluctance has led the government to engage with the treaty process through limited means, such as sending party lawmakers to signatories’ meetings, rather than assuming full observer status at such international gatherings.