Efforts Needed To Ensure Proposed Japan-ROK-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Body is Effective
21:00 JST, March 8, 2023
WASHINGTON — The United States’ move to create a trilateral consultative body on nuclear deterrence with Japan and South Korea reflects concerns about the increased anxiety among its allies regarding the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
Washington likely hopes to use the opportunity of improved Japan-South Korea relations to cement trilateral security cooperation and form a united front against North Korea and China, among others.
Russia has been dangling the threat of nuclear weapons at the United States and Europe amid its invasion of Ukraine. As if inspired by Russia, North Korea has repeatedly engaged in nuclear provocations, triggering talk in South Korea about the possible acquisition of nuclear capabilities.
The United States is trying to contain such moves in East Asia by strengthening information sharing with Japan and South Korea on U.S. nuclear capabilities. However, there are subtle differences between the positions of Japan and South Korea on nuclear deterrence.
South Korea has expressed interest in discussing specific details about the use of nuclear weapons in an emergency to develop practical deterrence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leader of the only nation that has experienced atomic bombings, has vowed to work toward nuclear abolition. Therefore, Tokyo would prefer not to be involved in the decision-making process regarding the use of U.S. nuclear weapons.
Also, while Japan and South Korea share the security challenges posed by North Korea, South Korea’s stance toward China, which is rapidly advancing its nuclear arms program, differs from that of Japan and the United States.
It is clear that issues will need to be addressed before a stable and functional consultative body can be established.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
“High Probability” 2 MSDF Patrol Helicopters Collided near Torishima Island; 1 Dead, 7 Others Onboard Missing (Update 2)
-
Japan, U.S., S. Korea Coast Guards Sign Pledge to Strengthen Cooperation
-
China Firm ‘Developed System to Manipulate Public Opinion’; Leaked Information Describes Hijacking Social Media Accounts (UPDATE 1)
-
Japan’s Opposition Party CDPJ Sweeps 3 By-Elections in Lower House (UPDATE 1)
-
Japan’s LDP Battles to Avoid ‘Total Defeat’ in By-Elections; Opposition Party Guards against Overconfidence
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Weakening Yen Adds Complexity to BOJ’s Rate Hike Decisions; Rising Commodity Prices may Impact ‘Virtuous Cycle’ Efforts
- Japanese Seafood Exports to China Sink 57% in FY23; U.S. Becomes Largest Seafood Export Destination
- 70% of Japan Companies to Raise Pay Scales in FY 2024
- 48.6% of Global Patent Applications Related to All-Solid-State Batteries Came from Japanese Firms; Panasonic Tops List
- Core Consumer Prices Rise 2.8% in Fiscal 2023