MOSCOW August 25, 2026 — A senior Russian official stated that Japan has the technical capability to assemble its own nuclear weapons in approximately one year, citing the country’s growing militarization and recent statements by its prime minister.
Anton Kobyakov, presidential aide and executive secretary of the Eastern Economic Forum organizing committee, made the remarks in an interview with the Russian state news agency TASS on August 25.
“There is even talk of nuclear weapons, which Japan can assemble in about one year,” Kobyakov said. He linked the assessment to what he described as the “aggressive rhetoric” of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Tokyo’s shift toward a more active role in U.S.-led regional security strategies.
The comments come amid heightened tensions between Russia and Japan over the disputed Kuril Islands (known in Japan as the Northern Territories), recent Russian military drills near the islands, and Japan’s ongoing expansion of its defense capabilities. Under Takaichi’s government, Japan has accelerated defense spending, reorganized its Self-Defense Forces, and acquired longer-range missiles.
Japan maintains a large stockpile of separated civilian plutonium — reported at approximately 44 tons — along with advanced nuclear technology and infrastructure. International analysts have long noted that this gives Tokyo a latent “breakout” capability to produce nuclear weapons relatively quickly if political restraints were lifted. Japan officially adheres to its Three Non-Nuclear Principles (not possessing, not producing, and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons) and has not announced any change in that policy.
Russian officials have repeatedly criticized Japan’s defense buildup in recent months, framing it as a return to militarism. China has issued similar warnings, pointing to Japan’s plutonium reserves as a potential pathway to nuclear armament.
No official response from the Japanese government to Kobyakov’s latest statement was immediately available.
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