Takaichi avoids clear pledge on Japan maintaining nonnuclear principles

HIROSHIMA - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday failed to explicitly pledge that Japan will maintain its nonnuclear principles, simply saying the government "is upholding" the long-held policy, as the country marked the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

At a press conference after a memorial ceremony in the western Japan city, Takaichi said Japan will promote "realistic and practical" efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons, repeating the wording she used in her speech at the ceremony, which she attended as prime minister for the first time.