Amid Japan's ongoing push for remilitarization, Russia has warned that Tokyo could develop its own nuclear weapons within a year. According to Russia's TASS news agency, Anton Kobyakov, Russian Presidential Assistant and Executive Secretary of the Organising Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum, said Japan could possess nuclear weapons within one year.&nbsp;"There is even talk about nuclear weapons, which Japan is capable of assembling in about a year. Prime Minister [Sanae] Takaichi’s aggressive rhetoric shows that the country’s former role in the broader framework of US regional and global strategy has changed significantly, shifting towards direct involvement," he was quoted as saying by TASS.&nbsp;At a memorial service marking the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in early August, Takaichi said Japan still follows its three non-nuclear principles. However, she did not make a clear commitment that the principles would continue to be maintained in the future.<h3>China also raises Japan's nuclear potential</h3>Earlier this month, China also renewed its warnings about Japan's nuclear potential. Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui claimed that Tokyo has enough plutonium to theoretically produce thousands of nuclear warheads.&nbsp;In an article published by TASS, Zhang said Japan had 44.4 tonnes of plutonium extracted from spent nuclear fuel as of the end of 2024. He claimed the stockpile could be used to manufacture around 5,500 nuclear warheads.&nbsp;The ambassador also said Japan's spent nuclear fuel storage facilities contained another 191 tonnes of unextracted plutonium.&nbsp;The statements come as Tokyo pushes to remilitarize the country amid rising tensions in its neighbourhood with China and North Korea. Geopolitical uncertainty and US President Donald Trump's changing stance towards allies have also prompted Washington's partners to increase defence spending.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-95-killed-133-indians-among-403-still-missing-after-flash-floods-in-nepal-1787755891807">At least 95 killed, 133 Indians among 403 still missing after flash floods in Nepal</a><h3>Japan-Russia tensions deepen</h3>Relations between Russia and Japan have also come under strain following the war in Ukraine. Tensions increased further after Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited the Kuril Islands for the first time, prompting strong protests from Tokyo, which also claims the territory.&nbsp;The Kremlin released a video showing Putin on one of the four main Kuril Islands. Russian media reported that he visited a fish processing plant and was presented with caviar.&nbsp;Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi criticised Putin's visit and said it "offends the sentiments of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable."&nbsp;"The Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory, both historically and under international law," Takaichi told reporters. She added that the visit "made it more difficult to restore relations in the medium to long term."&nbsp;Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolai Nozdrev on Thursday to lodge a "strong protest" over Putin's visit.&nbsp;Motegi told the ambassador that Putin's visit would "have an extremely negative impact on Japan-Russia relations", according to a statement from the ministry.&nbsp;Relations between the two countries have already faced pressure following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has warned that Japan could develop nuclear weapons within a year, citing Tokyo’s growing military capabilities and changing security posture.

Amid Japan's ongoing push for remilitarization, Russia has warned that Tokyo could develop its own nuclear weapons within a year. According to Russia's TASS news agency, Anton Kobyakov, Russian Presidential Assistant and Executive Secretary of the Organising Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum, said Japan could possess nuclear weapons within one year. "There is even talk about nuclear weapons, which Japan is capable of assembling in about a year. Prime Minister [Sanae] Takaichi’s aggressive rhetoric shows that the country’s former role in the broader framework of US regional and global strategy has changed significantly, shifting towards direct involvement," he was quoted as saying by TASS. At a memorial service marking the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in early August, Takaichi said Japan still follows its three non-nuclear principles. However, she did not make a clear commitment that the principles would continue to be maintained in the future. China also raises Japan's nuclear potential Earlier this month, China also renewed its warnings about Japan's nuclear potential. Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui claimed that Tokyo has enough plutonium to theoretically produce thousands of nuclear warheads. In an article published by TASS, Zhang said Japan had 44.4 tonnes of plutonium extracted from spent nuclear fuel as of the end of 2024. He claimed the stockpile could be used to manufacture around 5,500 nuclear warheads. The ambassador also said Japan's spent nuclear fuel storage facilities contained another 191 tonnes of unextracted plutonium. The statements come as Tokyo pushes to remilitarize the country amid rising tensions in its neighbourhood with China and North Korea. Geopolitical uncertainty and US President Donald Trump's changing stance towards allies have also prompted Washington's partners to increase defence spending. Also Read: At least 95 killed, 133 Indians among 403 still missing after flash floods in Nepal Japan-Russia tensions deepen Relations between Russia and Japan have also come under strain following the war in Ukraine. Tensions increased further after Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited the Kuril Islands for the first time, prompting strong protests from Tokyo, which also claims the territory. The Kremlin released a video showing Putin on one of the four main Kuril Islands. Russian media reported that he visited a fish processing plant and was presented with caviar. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi criticised Putin's visit and said it "offends the sentiments of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable." "The Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory, both historically and under international law," Takaichi told reporters. She added that the visit "made it more difficult to restore relations in the medium to long term." Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolai Nozdrev on Thursday to lodge a "strong protest" over Putin's visit. Motegi told the ambassador that Putin's visit would "have an extremely negative impact on Japan-Russia relations", according to a statement from the ministry. Relations between the two countries have already faced pressure following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has warned that Japan could develop nuclear weapons within a year, citing Tokyo’s growing military capabilities and changing security posture.

Japan to go nuclear? Russia warns Tokyo could get nukes within a year

China has renewed its warnings about Japan's nuclear potential, with its ambassador to Russia claiming that Tokyo possesses enough plutonium to theoretically produce thousands of nuclear warheads.In an article published by Russia's state-run TASS news agency, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said Japan had 44.4 tonnes of plutonium extracted from spent nuclear fuel as of the end of 2024. He claimed the stockpile could be used to manufacture around 5,500 nuclear warheads.The ambassador also said Japan's spent nuclear fuel storage facilities contained another 191 tonnes of unextracted plutonium.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-s-trip-to-the-kuril-islands-reopens-an-80-year-old-wound-japan-strongly-protests-visit-here-s-why-1786602764127">Putin’s trip to the Kuril Islands reopens an 80-year-old wound; Japan 'strongly protests visit'. Here's why</a><h2>China raises concerns over Japan's nuclear capability</h2>Zhang described Japan as the only non-nuclear signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with spent nuclear fuel recycling technology capable of extracting weapons-grade plutonium."If Japan has the will and the necessary capabilities, its transformation into a nuclear power no longer looks like a fantasy," he said.At the same time, Zhang acknowledged Japan's longstanding Three Non-Nuclear Principles, established in 1971. The principles state that Japan will not possess, produce, or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons.The remarks come amid worsening relations between Beijing and Tokyo and growing Chinese criticism of Japan's expanding defence capabilities.<h2>China has raised the issue before</h2>The plutonium figure is not new to China's recent criticism of Japan.In March 2026, PLA Daily, the official newspaper of China's People's Liberation Army, also cited the figure of 44.4 tonnes of separated plutonium and said it could theoretically support the production of around 5,500 nuclear warheads.The report accused Japan of using civilian technology and industrial capacity to build the foundations for a major shift in its defence policy.It also pointed to Japan's growing investment in advanced military technology, including long-range weapons, missile defence and other defence-related systems.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/582-tonnes-150-million-c-60-years-wion-decodes-the-mind-boggling-numbers-behind-china-s-new-artificial-sun-magnet-1785312316534">582 tonnes, 150 million°C, 60 years: WION Decodes the mind-boggling numbers behind China's 'Artificial Sun'</a><h2>Japan's defence expansion draws Chinese scrutiny</h2>PLA Daily argued that Japan's military expansion had moved beyond what Beijing considered a purely defensive posture. It cited increased defence-related contracts involving major Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and IHI.The report also highlighted Japan's cooperation with the US on systems such as F-35A fighter jets and SM-3 Block IIA missiles.Tensions have intensified as Japan has expanded its defence capabilities and expressed growing concern about China's military activities, particularly around Taiwan. Tokyo, meanwhile, has criticised Beijing over what it describes as a lack of transparency surrounding China's rising defence spending and expanding military capabilities.<h2>What Japan said on nuclear proliferation</h2>In April 2026, at a review conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Tomiko Ichikawa, Japan's ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, rebutted China's claim by saying that "the introduction of nuclear weapons (by Japan) is not permitted" under the three nonnuclear principles.Ichikawa emphasised that “Japan has been limiting its research, development and use of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes.”Japan “will continue to work closely with the international community to realize a world without nuclear weapons” and “will continue to advance realistic and practical efforts to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime,” she said.

China has revived its warnings about Japan's nuclear potential, citing Tokyo's large plutonium stockpile and advanced fuel-recycling capabilities. Beijing says the combination could give Japan the ability to rapidly move towards nuclear weapons if its policy were ever to change.

China has renewed its warnings about Japan's nuclear potential, with its ambassador to Russia claiming that Tokyo possesses enough plutonium to theoretically produce thousands of nuclear warheads. In an article published by Russia's state-run TASS news agency, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said Japan had 44.4 tonnes of plutonium extracted from spent nuclear fuel as of the end of 2024. He claimed the stockpile could be used to manufacture around 5,500 nuclear warheads. The ambassador also said Japan's spent nuclear fuel storage facilities contained another 191 tonnes of unextracted plutonium. Also read | Putin’s trip to the Kuril Islands reopens an 80-year-old wound; Japan 'strongly protests visit'. Here's why China raises concerns over Japan's nuclear capability Zhang described Japan as the only non-nuclear signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with spent nuclear fuel recycling technology capable of extracting weapons-grade plutonium. "If Japan has the will and the necessary capabilities, its transformation into a nuclear power no longer looks like a fantasy," he said. At the same time, Zhang acknowledged Japan's longstanding Three Non-Nuclear Principles, established in 1971. The principles state that Japan will not possess, produce, or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons. The remarks come amid worsening relations between Beijing and Tokyo and growing Chinese criticism of Japan's expanding defence capabilities. China has raised the issue before The plutonium figure is not new to China's recent criticism of Japan. In March 2026, PLA Daily, the official newspaper of China's People's Liberation Army, also cited the figure of 44.4 tonnes of separated plutonium and said it could theoretically support the production of around 5,500 nuclear warheads. The report accused Japan of using civilian technology and industrial capacity to build the foundations for a major shift in its defence policy. It also pointed to Japan's growing investment in advanced military technology, including long-range weapons, missile defence and other defence-related systems. Also read | 582 tonnes, 150 million°C, 60 years: WION Decodes the mind-boggling numbers behind China's 'Artificial Sun' Japan's defence expansion draws Chinese scrutiny PLA Daily argued that Japan's military expansion had moved beyond what Beijing considered a purely defensive posture. It cited increased defence-related contracts involving major Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and IHI. The report also highlighted Japan's cooperation with the US on systems such as F-35A fighter jets and SM-3 Block IIA missiles. Tensions have intensified as Japan has expanded its defence capabilities and expressed growing concern about China's military activities, particularly around Taiwan. Tokyo, meanwhile, has criticised Beijing over what it describes as a lack of transparency surrounding China's rising defence spending and expanding military capabilities. What Japan said on nuclear proliferation In April 2026, at a review conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Tomiko Ichikawa, Japan's ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, rebutted China's claim by saying that "the introduction of nuclear weapons (by Japan) is not permitted" under the three nonnuclear principles. Ichikawa emphasised that “Japan has been limiting its research, development and use of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes.” Japan “will continue to work closely with the international community to realize a world without nuclear weapons” and “will continue to advance realistic and practical efforts to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime,” she said.

China has revived its warnings about Japan's nuclear potential, citing Tokyo's large plutonium stockpile and advanced fuel-recycling capabilities. Beijing says the combination could give Japan the ability to rapidly move towards nuclear weapons if its policy were ever to change.

'No longer a fantasy': China claims Japan has enough plutonium for 5,500 nuclear warheads

It's been 75 years since America dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. For survivors, the war isn't over yet. Discarded N-treaties, faster missiles, cyber-attacks, and artificial intelligence - the new nuclear threats are greater than before. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why the world isn't any wiser.

Gravitas: 75 Years After Hiroshima | Will new tech raise the threat of nuke war?

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in his speech at the ceremony, said Japan is committed to nuclear weapons ban but said a nuclear-free world could not be achieved overnight and that it has to start from dialogue between opposite sides.

Japan: 75 years since first atomic bombing | Hiroshima Bombing Anniversary | Shinzo Abe

Japan marks 75th anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing | World War 2 | WION | World News