Opposition demands Abe dismiss Aso over 'nuclear Japan' remarks

Four opposition parties jointly demanded Thursday that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dismiss Foreign Minister Taro Aso for his repeated calls for a debate regarding the possibility of Japan going nuclear, saying his remarks have fueled international doubts about the country's commitment to its nonnuclear policy.

"Foreign Minister Aso's remarks have transgressed the Cabinet's basic stance in light of the fact that Prime Minister Abe has expressed his determination to stick to the three-point nonnuclear principle," the Democratic Party of Japan and three smaller opposition parties said in a joint statement. But Abe refuted the criticism and said Aso will not be fired. "We have a consensus regarding upholding the three nonnuclear principles, so I see no problem at all," Abe told reporters Thursday evening.