TOKYO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The former air force general recently sacked over his controversial essay justifying Japan's aggression history called for an open debate Monday on whether the country should acquire nuclear weapons.

    "It would be good to have the issue of whether Japan should have nuclear weapons discussed, I think that such a debate alone would enhance Japan's deterrence against nuclear attacks," the former Air Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Toshio Tamogami told a news conference in Tokyo.

    Tamogami, however, didn't insist that Japan should possess nuclear weapons, citing difficulties in doing so under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which Japan has adhered.

    Tamogami, 60, was sacked as the top ASDF officer on Oct. 31, hours after his essay justifying Japan's wartime aggression was made public.