Tokyo's position on Pyongyang's nuclear program remains unchanged - North Korea is not a nuclear power, said Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato.
“Amid the increasingly complex regional security situation, North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile programs. This is a direct violation of existing UN Security Council resolutions and poses a direct threat to the peace and stability of Japan, the region and the entire international community. There is no change in our position“, he said.
During debates with leaders of other political parties, Takaichi put North Korea on a par with Russia and China, calling all three countries “nuclear powers“. Japan does not officially recognize North Korea as a nuclear power and has consistently criticized its nuclear and missile programs.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced today that she will resign if the ruling coalition of her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Restoration Party (JRP) does not win a majority in the lower house of parliament (Syugiina) in the snap election on February 8, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported, quoted by BTA.
The official election campaign for this vote began in Japan today.
"I want to earn the trust of the voters. "If the LDP and the JVP fail to secure a majority, I will resign as prime minister," Takaichi said at an election rally in the capital Tokyo.
More than 1,270 people are expected to run for the 465 seats in the lower house of parliament, Kyodo reported. This is the first election since Takaichi was elected as Japan's first female prime minister on October 21 last year.
The LDP subsequently ended its 26-year coalition partnership with the Komeito party and allied with the JVP.