Japan to Shed its Nuclear Abstinence?
The Japanese government recently commissioned a study to look into the possibility of developing indigenous nuclear warheads, according to a newspaper report. Findings of the study were, however, disappointing as the effort and investment required to produce nuclear warheads have been estimated to be far more than earlier believed.
According to the Sankei Shimbun report, the experts study concluded that it would take at least three to five years and an investment of about ¥200 to 300 billion (US$1.7 to 2.5 billion) for Japan to make a prototype nuclear warhead. This is contrary to the claims made in the wake of North Korean missile and nuclear tests that Japan can quickly produce nuclear weapons if it chooses to, due to its high level of technology and civilian nuclear industry.
Government officials have denied the existence of any such study and maintain that there are no plans to launch a nuclear weapons development programme. As the only nation ever attacked by nuclear weapons, Japan has for decades espoused a policy of not possessing, developing or allowing the introduction of nuclear bombs on its soil. However, the growing security concerns in Japan following North Korea’s intransigent nuclear weapons programme, have more voices calling for a debate on the non-nuclear stance. With the new government led by Shinzo Abe pursuing a nationalist agenda, Japan may finally take the plunge to go nuclear.
According to the Sankei Shimbun report, the experts study concluded that it would take at least three to five years and an investment of about ¥200 to 300 billion (US$1.7 to 2.5 billion) for Japan to make a prototype nuclear warhead. This is contrary to the claims made in the wake of North Korean missile and nuclear tests that Japan can quickly produce nuclear weapons if it chooses to, due to its high level of technology and civilian nuclear industry.
Government officials have denied the existence of any such study and maintain that there are no plans to launch a nuclear weapons development programme. As the only nation ever attacked by nuclear weapons, Japan has for decades espoused a policy of not possessing, developing or allowing the introduction of nuclear bombs on its soil. However, the growing security concerns in Japan following North Korea’s intransigent nuclear weapons programme, have more voices calling for a debate on the non-nuclear stance. With the new government led by Shinzo Abe pursuing a nationalist agenda, Japan may finally take the plunge to go nuclear.
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