Russia warns Japan could build nuclear arms within a year, raising concerns

Russia has told TASS that Japan could assemble nuclear weapons in about a year, according to Anton Kobyakov of the Eastern Economic Forum. He cited Japan’s military expansion and its large plutonium stockpile—estimated at 45 tonnes from its civilian nuclear programme—as the basis for the assessment. Kobyakov also linked Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s aggressive rhetoric to a shift in Japan’s role within the United States’ regional strategy, suggesting a move toward direct involvement.

For Nigeria, a weakening of the global Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty (NPT) could undermine the security framework that has kept the continent nuclear‑free and affect Nigeria’s own stance on nuclear energy cooperation. The article notes that Japan, the only nation to have suffered wartime nuclear attacks, officially backs the NPT, yet some officials encourage debate on nuclear possession amid concerns over China, North Korea and Russia’s claim to the Kuril Islands.

Recognised nuclear‑weapon states remain the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom, while Israel, India, North Korea and Pakistan are viewed as de facto powers outside the treaty. What steps should Nigeria take to support non‑proliferation diplomacy and safeguard its energy security?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/26/russia-confirms-japan-can-rapidly-produce-nuclear-weapons/