Nuclear Arms Taboo Is Challenged in Japan: “Alarmed by the rising power of China and anxious about the effectiveness of security guarantees from the United States, some of Japan’s most powerful politicians have begun to consider breaking with a half-century-old policy of pacifism by acquiring nuclear weapons.

In comments that stunned many here, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s top aide told reporters last week that what Japan calls its three non-nuclear principles could soon come under review.” NY Times