LDP Taro Kono says non-nuclear principles must be reviewed
Jan. 14, 2010
by Keisuke Yoshihara, Staff Writer
At a symposium on Japan-U.S. relations held in Tokyo on January 12, Taro Kono, director-general of the International Bureau of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), named the option of "nuclear sharing," under which Japan and the United States would jointly have access to U.S. nuclear weapons in the event of war, and added that "review of the three non-nuclear principles must be discussed."
Mr. Kono stressed the need to review Japan's non-nuclear policy, taking North Korea's nuclear development into account. "It is imperative to protect our nation. If Japan can deter North Korea by also having some control over the use of nuclear weapons, rather than having the United States dominate this decision-making, Japan must pursue that end," argued Mr. Kono.
As a prerequisite for nuclear sharing, Mr. Kono went on to express his view that "If U.S. nuclear weapons need to be deployed in Japan, the three non-nuclear principles should be changed."
After these remarks, Mr. Kono was interviewed by the Chugoku Shimbun and stated, "The A-bombed nation of Japan, which suffered the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, must never suffer such a tragedy again. Discussion must begin to ensure this intention."
In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, a Japan-U.S. symposium entitled "New administrations and Japan-U.S. relations in the future" was held in Tokyo on January 12. With Kyodo News and other entities organizing the event, roughly 200 people, including diplomatic officials, took part. Politicians and researchers of the two nations exchanged views.
Akihisa Nagashima, parliamentary vice-minister of Defense, argued that "We must review the current imbalance in our respective roles, where the U.S. bears the risks in the event of war while Japan shoulders the costs in times of peace."
Taro Kono, director-general of the International Bureau of the Liberal Democratic Party, pointed out that "the explanation provided to the Japanese public is not sufficient" concerning the role and function of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
With regard to the issue of relocating the U.S. Futenma Air Station, currently based in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, Kent Calder, director of the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at John Hopkins University, and Michael Auslin, director of Japan Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, analyzed the differences in thinking between Japan and the United States.
(Originally published on January 13, 2010)
At a symposium on Japan-U.S. relations held in Tokyo on January 12, Taro Kono, director-general of the International Bureau of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), named the option of "nuclear sharing," under which Japan and the United States would jointly have access to U.S. nuclear weapons in the event of war, and added that "review of the three non-nuclear principles must be discussed."
Mr. Kono stressed the need to review Japan's non-nuclear policy, taking North Korea's nuclear development into account. "It is imperative to protect our nation. If Japan can deter North Korea by also having some control over the use of nuclear weapons, rather than having the United States dominate this decision-making, Japan must pursue that end," argued Mr. Kono.
As a prerequisite for nuclear sharing, Mr. Kono went on to express his view that "If U.S. nuclear weapons need to be deployed in Japan, the three non-nuclear principles should be changed."
After these remarks, Mr. Kono was interviewed by the Chugoku Shimbun and stated, "The A-bombed nation of Japan, which suffered the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, must never suffer such a tragedy again. Discussion must begin to ensure this intention."
In 50th year, politicians and others debate issues over Japan-U.S. Security Treaty
In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, a Japan-U.S. symposium entitled "New administrations and Japan-U.S. relations in the future" was held in Tokyo on January 12. With Kyodo News and other entities organizing the event, roughly 200 people, including diplomatic officials, took part. Politicians and researchers of the two nations exchanged views.
Akihisa Nagashima, parliamentary vice-minister of Defense, argued that "We must review the current imbalance in our respective roles, where the U.S. bears the risks in the event of war while Japan shoulders the costs in times of peace."
Taro Kono, director-general of the International Bureau of the Liberal Democratic Party, pointed out that "the explanation provided to the Japanese public is not sufficient" concerning the role and function of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
With regard to the issue of relocating the U.S. Futenma Air Station, currently based in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture, Kent Calder, director of the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at John Hopkins University, and Michael Auslin, director of Japan Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, analyzed the differences in thinking between Japan and the United States.
(Originally published on January 13, 2010)
