North Korea declared that Japan's nuclear ambitions must be prevented, after a Japanese official suggested equipping with nuclear weapons.

North Korea issued a firm warning on Sunday, stating that Japan's nuclear ambitions "must be prevented at all costs." This reaction came after a Japanese prime minister's cabinet official suggested that Japan should possess nuclear weapons, contrary to the official doctrine of renouncing nuclear energy. The director of the Institute of Japanese Studies in Pyongyang stated that the Japanese official's remarks reflect a long-standing ambition of Japan to arm itself with nuclear weapons, which could lead to a nuclear catastrophe in Asia. Although the statement did not mention North Korea's nuclear program, it underscores security concerns in the region, considering Pyongyang's existing nuclear arsenal, which is seen as a deterrent against perceived threats from the United States and its allies.