Japanese PM calls for nuclear-free world

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stated that his concept of "joint ownership" of nuclear weapons does not involve issues of ownership or control.

He clarified that his proposal focuses on the decision-making process surrounding nuclear weapons, rather than any claims of ownership or authority, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Ishiba called for discussions on the potential deployment of US nuclear weapons in the Asia-Pacific region in late September.  

He highlighted the absence of a collective defense system in Asia comparable to NATO, expressing concern that this lack increases the risk of new national conflicts.   Ishiba also expressed concern over the increasing military activity of China around Japan's islands.  

On October 12, during a debate among political party leaders ahead of the election campaign, Ishiba emphasised a desire to create a world without nuclear weapons.

He reminded about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, stating that the bombs were dropped on Japanese cities by the US.   Earlier, Russia expressed the protest against Japan's plans to conduct joint exercises with the US.

By Naila Huseynova