Former defense minister Gen Nakatani has recently stoked controversy as he brings the topic of nuclear ownership into the political sphere. Nakatani’s comments have prompted a consequential discussion around responsibility for his stance. As a prominent figure in Japan’s security policy, Nakatani's statement has the potential to reshape the national policy landscape and carry significant implications for Japan's long-standing non-nuclear principles.

Japan, the only nation in history to suffer the impact of atomic bombs, maintains a strict policy against possessing nuclear weapons. Any deviation from this becomes a deeply emotional issue and the subject of intense public debate. Thus, Nakatani's statements have sparked controversy and discussions about responsibility, given the political and social implications of these comments.

In comparison, the US and many EU countries possess nuclear weapons. However, there's an ongoing international debate over nuclear disarmament. A situation like this would be a considerable controversy in the US or EU and be likely to provoke serious political and public discussions.