National News Most leaders knew nothing of nuke pact

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A secret accord between Tokyo and Washington on moving U.S. nuclear weapons through Japanese territory has been controlled by top Foreign Ministry bureaucrats who have told only a handful of "trusted" prime ministers and foreign ministers of its existence, four former top ministry officials have revealed.

The pact gives Japan's tacit approval that U.S. aircraft or naval vessels carrying nuclear weapons can transit Japan.

The revelation indicates that Foreign Ministry bureaucrats have controlled the top-secret matter, not elected officials.

The government has publicly adhered to the "three non-nuclear principles" of not possessing or developing nuclear weapons, or allowing them on Japanese territory.

It is the first time former top Foreign Ministry bureaucrats have admitted that only some prime ministers and foreign ministers knew about the secret deal. (Kyodo News)

核持ち込み密約、伝達は一部の首相らのみ

アメリカの核兵器持ち込みについての日本政府と米国政府の密約が外務省のトップ官僚に管理され、一部の首相や外相にしか伝えられていなかったと、4人の元外務次官が明らかにした。

Shukan ST: June 12, 2009

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