TOKYO, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated that debate on nuclear arms and deterrence should not be suppressed, says Kyodo news agency.
His comments Wednesday in parliament appeared to endorse controversial calls by some of his Cabinet and party leadership for a debate on whether Japan should go nuclear, the report said.
Abe emphasized Japan's commitment to its non-nuclear principles, but also noted the recent remarks by Foreign Minister Taro Aso were ''comments concerning debate regarding nuclear arms, not statements that Japan should possess nuclear arms.''
His comments were in response to demands by some opposition members for the dismissal of the foreign minister.
''When you say that possessing nuclear arms is meaningless for Japan, that in itself can be considered a discussion,'' Abe said. ''I think it would be going too far to say that there can be no debate (on the nuclear issue) at all.''
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki later told reporters he saw no specific problem with the foreign minister's remarks and that the government is not concerned Abe's latest comments might create more confusion, Kyodo reported.
