Defense Minister Koizumi says Japan needs debate on nuclear weapons

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said that Japan needs a debate on nuclear weapons, as some European countries are seeking greater nuclear deterrence.Japan "cannot avoid touching" the issue, Koizumi said in an online program released Friday, apparently with the government's planned revision by the end of the year of three key national security documents in mind.Koizumi cited France and Finland as pursuing policies that favor stronger nuclear deterrence.Finland's parliament in June passed a bill that would allow nuclear weapons to be brought into the country, while French President Emmanuel…READ FULL ARTICLE