Nuclear Arms Control and Disarmament Policy Under the Kishida Administration

This study examines the Kishida administration’s nuclear arms control and disarmament policies through the lens of Japan’s dual responsibilities: the normative responsibility to pursue a world without nuclear weapons and the strategic responsibility to ensure national security. While these responsibilities are not inherently contradictory, they have often posed dilemmas for Japan’s nuclear policies, particularly amid worsening global security conditions. The study categorizes the administration’s nuclear arms control and disarmament policies into four types: (1) those emphasizing strategic responsibility while also aligning with normative responsibility, (2) those prioritizing normative responsibility while converging with strategic responsibility, (3) efforts attempting to balance the two, and (4) policies where conflict between them necessitated prioritization of one over the other. The analysis draws on official statements, policy documents, and supplementary expert and media sources. The paper evaluates the administration’s policies based on their success in bridging the dual responsibilities, enhancing Japan’s security, and advancing global disarmament norms. It concludes that while the Kishida administration sought convergence where possible, when conflicts arose, it prioritized national security, leading to criticism from nuclear abolition proponents. The study highlights key challenges and implications for Japan’s future nuclear policy.