China criticises Abe for saying Japan should host US nuclear weapons

China has reacted sharply to calls by Shinzo Abe, Japan's former prime minister, for Tokyo to consider hosting US nuclear weapons

The call came in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rising concern over Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, reports The Guardian.

However, Japan's current PM Fumio Kishida, quickly rejected Abe's call for a debate on the nuclear weapons-sharing option.

"It is unacceptable given our country's stance of maintaining the three non-nuclear principles," reports The Guardian quoting Kishida, who represents a constituency in Hiroshima, as telling the MPs this week.

Japan, the only country to have been attacked with nuclear weapons -- in Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- is part of the US nuclear umbrella but has for decade adhered to the three non-nuclear principles -- that it will not produce or possess nuclear weapons or allow them on its territory.

Abe had said that Japan should cast off taboos surrounding its possession of nuclear weapons following the outbreak of war in Europe.

"In NATO, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy take part in nuclear sharing, hosting American nuclear weapons," The Guardian report quoted Abe as saying in a TV interview.

"We need to understand how security is maintained around the world and not consider it taboo to have an open discussion.

"We should firmly consider various options when we talk about how we can protect Japan and the lives of its people in this reality," Abe added.

Wang Wenbin, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters in Beijing: "Japanese politicians have frequently spread fallacies related to Taiwan and even blatantly made false remarks that violate the nation's three non-nuclear principles."

"We strongly ask Japan to deeply reflect on its history," Wang added, and warned Tokyo to "be cautious in words and deeds on the Taiwan issue to stop provoking trouble."