Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has referred to North Korea as a nuclear-armed state despite the fact that Japan does not officially recognize the regime as such.

The Asahi Shimbun and other media outlets, Takaichi made the remark on Monday during a televised program featuring the leaders of major political parties. 

Asked about Japan’s diplomatic and security strategy, Takaichi mentioned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and described North Korea as a nuclear power.

Takaichi reportedly said that Russia’s relationship with China is very close and that ties between North Korea and Russia are also close, describing all three as nuclear-armed states.

She went on to say that Japan exists amid such realities, stressing the need for a stronger diplomatic stance.

Like South Korea and the United States, Japan has not recognized North Korea as a nuclear-armed state and has consistently called for its complete denuclearization.