HL Deb 22 July 1994 vol 557 c53WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask the Japanese Government to confirm that the undertaking that no attempt will be made to use plutonium exported from this country to Japan for other than civil purposes (Baroness Denton of Wakefield, col. WA 30, 29th June 1993) is unaffected by the statement by Prime Minister Tsutomo on 17th June 1994 that "Japan has the capability to possess nuclear weapons".

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have made no representations to the Japanese Government with regard to the comments made by the former Prime Minister on 17th June. As a non-nuclear weapon state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Japan has given a legally binding commitment not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons. In accordance with the NPT, Japan has also concluded a fullscope safeguards agreement with the IAEA. We have no reason to doubt the commitment of the Japanese Government to the principles of the Treaty.