Hirofumi Yoshimura, the representative of the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), has defended comments suggesting Japan should have nuclear weapons. This contentious stance is a result of escalating regional security concerns. The move, sparking a mixture of alarm and support nationwide, has marked a significant shift from Japan's traditional post-war policy of nuclear disarmity.

Yoshimura's comments have touched a sensitive nerve within Japan, a country that has lived with the horrific effects of nuclear weapon use during World War II. Many Japanese value peace and nuclear disarmament highly, and believe it is part of their identity as a nation. However, ongoing regional threats and geopolitical tensions have stirred varied opinions on the issue of maintaining a strictly non-nuclear stance.

In contrast, the US and EU members (UK and France) are nuclear powers and members of the Nuclear Weapons States under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The policy and discussions about nuclear weapons in these countries focus more on disarmament and non-proliferation rather than defying nuclear possession, unlike in Japan.