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23:00 KST - Kyodo News Service - An official in charge of security policy at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office brought up the necessity of Japan "possessing nuclear weapons" during an off-the-record briefing with reporters. As the backlash grew, they repeatedly stressed it was a "personal opinion," according to Kyodo News' initial report, followed by Mainichi. Since the rapid spread of the news makes it impossible to maintain the off-the-record status, the Japanese PM's Office is reportedly desperately trying to contain the fallout.

The security policy official from the Takaichi cabinet held a non-reporting briefing with reporters late this afternoon (18th) at the residence. When asked by a reporter whether PM Takaichi Sanae would reconsider Japan's three non-nuclear principles, the official stated, "It hasn't been announced, but it seems the Prime Minister has no intention of reconsidering. Currently, this is not a major agenda item for the Japanese government." But the bomb dropped right after that.

“I must absolutely preface this by saying it’s my personal opinion. Please take that into consideration. North Korea, a neighboring country to Japan, possesses nuclear weapons. Japan must also possess nuclear weapons. In the final, ultimate moment, it is ultimately Japan itself that protects Japan’s security.”

Not only were the attending reporters immediately agitated, but when the press corps leaders protested, arguing that an issue of this magnitude shouldn't be off-the-record, the official immediately backed down, stressing it was a personal opinion and adding the following:

“Reconsidering the three non-nuclear principles requires tremendous political capital. The Takaichi administration does not possess that political capital. It is neither the right environment, nor can we realistically avoid relying on America's extended nuclear deterrence.”

However, the press corps reported to the headquarters of Kyodo News and Mainichi Shimbun that they could not handle this matter as off-the-record, and subsequently, Asahi Shimbun and Jiji Press also declared they could not honor the off-the-record agreement.

The Japanese PM's Office's non-reporting press briefings have consistently caused controversy and trouble. During PM Kishida’s tenure, an aide to the PM made remarks during a closed-door briefing to the effect of, “The thought of having an LGBTQ person sitting next to me is horrifying,” and the reporters immediately broke the non-reporting rule, saying, “We cannot keep this off the record.” Later, reporters even protested, asking if the purpose of these closed-door briefings was just to hear comments like that.