Japan concerned about possible use of nuclear weapons by Russia

Japan has expressed serious concerns about the possible use of nuclear weapons by Russia against Ukraine.

A senior government official said this when announcing an additional ban on exports to Russia of goods related to chemical weapons.

“As the only country in the world affected by nuclear attacks, we strongly demand that the threat of Russia’s use of nuclear weapons never materialize,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a regular press conference.

Matsuno was responding to a question about National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s comments Sunday on CBS News. Sullivan said the U.S. would act “decisively” in the event of a Russian nuclear attack against Ukraine.

The Japanese government on Monday banned the export of materials that could be used to create chemical weapons to 21 Russian organizations, including scientific laboratories.

The measure was approved by the cabinet after a decision by G7 foreign ministers last week.