While the Japanese government does not officially recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi referred to North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, stirring controversy.
According to the Asahi Shimbun and others on the 27th, Takaichi made the remarks the previous night on a TV Asahi program that invited leaders of major parties ahead of the general election, when asked about diplomatic and security strategy and while mentioning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Takaichi said, "The relationship between Russia and China is very close, and the relationship between North Korea and Russia is also close," adding, "They are all nuclear-armed states." She continued, "Amid that, Japan faces the reality of defending its territory," and added, "We must strengthen diplomacy."
Like South Korea and the United States, the Japanese government does not recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state and has consistently called for North Korea's complete denuclearization. However, President Donald Trump has on several occasions in the past made remarks seeming to regard North Korea as a de facto nuclear-armed state.
In response, the Japanese government moved to contain the fallout. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato, the government's deputy spokesperson, said at a press conference that day, "We understand the remarks as intended to say that North Korea is pursuing the development of nuclear missiles in the course of broadly referring to the security environment," and explained, "This does not mean recognition of North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons, and there is no change in the Japanese government's position."
Sato added, "Japan is working with the international community, including the United States and South Korea, to ensure the full implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and is demanding the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs."