OPINION: WHY JAPAN WON'T BUILD A NUCLEAR WEAPON QUICKLY

[warrior1972]

(CNN)—There's a war of words going on in Asia right now.

Japan's upper house of parliament approved a controversial security bill that would allow it to engage in defensive military action overseas in the event that the national security of its allies is severely threatened.

For the first time since the end of World War II, Japanese troops can deploy in overseas operations in a combat role in support of its allies; in other words, for collective self-defense.



us.cnn.com/2015/09/20/opinions/japan-military-opinion-berger/index.html

[101ABN]

I agree, Japan has little need for them as long as she is protected by the US nuclear umbrella and as long as the capacities of our enemies do not outstrip our ability to deter and defend.

[Sailor]

IIRC when we went into Iraq and marched into Baghdad there was debate in the Japanese Diet about even the deployment of medical support personnel with the final vote denying permission based upon the pacifist way their Constitution is written. The opposition of the time carried the day by making the point that non-violent support of military operations was still military operations and thus forbidden.

They've come a long way in changing their views in a short time. Given their history though I agree that Japan won't be building nukes UNLESS they feel they have no choice even though I am certain they have the technical knowledge and the ability. All they need is fissile material, and with the number of nuclear plants they have with "spent" fuel rods at hand ... the only other thing they would need is the will to do it.

[warrior1972]

I believe that, if they decided to, Japan could possess nucelar weapons within a year.

They've already got a spece program, and they definitely possess the technology.

As for the weapons-grade material:

"On 24 March 2014, Japan agreed to turn over more than 700 pounds (320 kg) of weapons grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium to the US.[38] It has been pointed out that as long as Japan enjoys the benefits of a "nuclear-ready" status held through surrounding countries, it will see no reason to actually produce nuclear arms, since by remaining below the threshold, albeit with the capability to cross it at short notice, Japan can expect the support of the US while posing as an equal to China and Russia."

-Wiki

(I can produce the quote, of course.)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_nuclear_weapon_program

There is plenty of information about the subject available on the internet.


This is just a smallfraction of how much weapons-grade matierial the Japanese have.

Count on it.

And to tell the truth, I was really surprised when North Korea exploded a bomb, and the Japanese didn't blink. There must have been a helluva conversation between them and us.


Russia.

China.

North Korea.

And NONE of then like the Japanese.

Man,that is a really dangerous neighborhood, you know?