Japanese "Big Whale" class submarine Photo: Screenshot from Wikipedia

The bad effect of the recent nuclear-powered submarine deal among Australia, the UK and the US is continuing to ripple. A few Japanese politicians are trying to "fish in troubled waters" and push their country to build nuclear-powered submarines. This has triggered high vigilance in the international community.

Japan has coveted nuclear-powered submarines for a long time. It has been conducting research on nuclear-powered ship technology for decades. In the 1950s, the Japan Ministry of Defense said publicly that Japan had completed a preliminary feasibility study on nuclear power reactors. In 1963, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency decided to build a civil nuclear ship. The construction began in 1968, and in 1972 was loaded with nuclear fuel. Relevant navigation tests have provided technical reserves for Japan's development of nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. 

In the 1980s, there was a popular manga called Silent Service, which tells the story of the secret joint development of nuclear submarines by Japan and the US. Up to now, Japanese politicians have not discarded their nuclear submarine obsession yet. During the 2021 Liberal Democratic Party leadership campaign, candidates such as Kono Taro and Takaichi Sanae said the development of nuclear submarine is a "very important" capability for Japan to have and it is necessary to discuss in this regard. Recently, the Japanese "Big Whale" class submarine No.2 Beluga was launched. 

The submarine is equipped with lithium-ion batteries and advanced noise reduction technology, setting a new record for the tonnage of Japan's conventional submarines. Some analysts said that the submarine is only one reactor away from becoming a nuclear submarine. Japan's ambition to restore militarism is evident.

Japan's sincerity on nuclear non-proliferation is doubtful. As a defeated country of the WWII, it has promised not to develop nuclear weapons and joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear-weapon state. Tokyo also passed the Atomic Energy Basic Law in 1955, establishing that nuclear power research and use is limited for peaceful goals. Since 1967, Japanese prime ministers all have promised not to possess, produce, or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons.

However, given that Japan has repeatedly tried to break through limits of Article 9 and hyped amendment to the post-war constitution, it can be seen as a consistent move of Japan to play tricks under the table. It is well-known that Japan is a "nuclear threshold state" - there are no technical barriers for Japan to produce nuclear weapons independently. With a large stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear materials, the country can abandon its three non-nuclear principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons. In 2016, Joe Biden, who was then US vice president, said in public that Japan could get nuclear weapons "virtually overnight." Judging from Japan's unilateral decision to dump the nuclear wastewater into the sea despite questions and objections from both home and abroad, whether Japan can keep its promises and strictly fulfill its obligations now remains completely doubtful.

In terms of nuclear disarmament, Japan's position is also self-contradictory and extremely hypocritical. For a long time, the Japanese government has been claiming to be a victim of nuclear weapons to gain sympathy from the international community. However, on the other hand, it has been blocking the nuclear disarmament process. 

The Biden administration is reportedly considering adjustments to nuclear policy - a "no first use" declaration. Japan became very anxious about this, trying hard to lobby the US to give up on the thought. More than 20 US officials and experts on nuclear disarmament, including former defense secretary William Perry, had to send an open letter to then Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga in August, asking Japan not to oppose US' adjustment of nuclear policies. Japan is afraid that it will lose the "nuclear umbrella." Some Japanese politicians even privately threatened that if the US adjusts its nuclear policy, Japan may start to possess nuclear weapons.

In fact, when discussing the Korean Peninsula and Iranian nuclear issues, Japan never mentioned the reasonable security concerns of these countries. It is now looking for excuses for its own nuclear possession under the banner of security concerns. This is an out-and-out double standard. Why do Japanese politicians always go against the international trend of peace for their own selfish interests?

According to the Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, "the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes," while "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained." In other words, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are only for national defense. But is this the real case? 

The new submarine "Beluga" is equipped with six torpedo tubes and can also launch Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Besides, Japan openly adopted the name of the armored cruiser during World War I and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), calling its new destroyer "Izumo-class multi-purpose destroyer." The destroyer displaces approximately 20,000 tons with a capability to operate multiple helicopters and F-35B fighter jets. It is a quasi-aircraft carrier. Japan's blatant development of offensive weapons has gone far beyond its legitimate defense needs. It has blatantly stepped on its own Pacifist Constitution. Soon after new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida came into power, he moved forward discussions on obtaining capabilities to "strike enemy bases," restoring the ambition of missile capabilities during the Abe administration. If Japan's tactic is to be indulged, the popular manga Silent Service will one day come true and enables the country to do whatever it wants. 

For quite some time, Japan has been following the US closely in an attempt to become a normal country. It spared no effort to stir up regional disputes, creating tension among countries. It is a troublemaker in the region. Japan has planned to acquire Tomahawk cruise missile and extended-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile from the US, and has strengthened military cooperation with the US in areas including anti-missile, outer space and cyberspace. Japan has also caused trouble in the Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea. It has joined the US-led Quad and welcomed the trilateral security partnership AUKUS signed between the US, the UK and Australia. All of these acts have added uncertainties to the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, ignoring the concerns of countries and people in the region. Its series of moves even make surrounding countries wonder whether it will still adhere to the path of peaceful development?

Japanese people deeply know the huge harm of nuclear weapons. There has been rational and peaceful voice in Japan against nuke. However, such anti-nuke voice is declining compared with the right-wing force. It is the only choice for Japan to remember history and keep distance with nuke, nuclear submarines, and weapons-grade nuclear materials. The Japan will be dragged onto a self-destroying path if some Japanese politicians, instigated by the US, are obsessed with developing offensive weapons such as nuclear submarines and even nuclear weapons. They should not try to test out the bottom line of the international community. Japan can only be trusted internationally when it acts as it says and completely gives up the illusions about owning nuclear weapons.

The author is observer for international affairs. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

Japanese "Big Whale" class submarine Photo: Screenshot from Wikipedia

The bad effect of the recent nuclear-powered submarine deal among Australia, the UK and the US is continuing to ripple. A few Japanese politicians are trying to "fish in troubled waters" and push their country to build nuclear-powered submarines. This has triggered high vigilance in the international community.

Japan has coveted nuclear-powered submarines for a long time. It has been conducting research on nuclear-powered ship technology for decades. In the 1950s, the Japan Ministry of Defense said publicly that Japan had completed a preliminary feasibility study on nuclear power reactors. In 1963, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency decided to build a civil nuclear ship. The construction began in 1968, and in 1972 was loaded with nuclear fuel. Relevant navigation tests have provided technical reserves for Japan's development of nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. 

In the 1980s, there was a popular manga called Silent Service, which tells the story of the secret joint development of nuclear submarines by Japan and the US. Up to now, Japanese politicians have not discarded their nuclear submarine obsession yet. During the 2021 Liberal Democratic Party leadership campaign, candidates such as Kono Taro and Takaichi Sanae said the development of nuclear submarine is a "very important" capability for Japan to have and it is necessary to discuss in this regard. Recently, the Japanese "Big Whale" class submarine No.2 Beluga was launched. 

The submarine is equipped with lithium-ion batteries and advanced noise reduction technology, setting a new record for the tonnage of Japan's conventional submarines. Some analysts said that the submarine is only one reactor away from becoming a nuclear submarine. Japan's ambition to restore militarism is evident.

Japan's sincerity on nuclear non-proliferation is doubtful. As a defeated country of the WWII, it has promised not to develop nuclear weapons and joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear-weapon state. Tokyo also passed the Atomic Energy Basic Law in 1955, establishing that nuclear power research and use is limited for peaceful goals. Since 1967, Japanese prime ministers all have promised not to possess, produce, or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons.

However, given that Japan has repeatedly tried to break through limits of Article 9 and hyped amendment to the post-war constitution, it can be seen as a consistent move of Japan to play tricks under the table. It is well-known that Japan is a "nuclear threshold state" - there are no technical barriers for Japan to produce nuclear weapons independently. With a large stockpile of weapons-grade nuclear materials, the country can abandon its three non-nuclear principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons. In 2016, Joe Biden, who was then US vice president, said in public that Japan could get nuclear weapons "virtually overnight." Judging from Japan's unilateral decision to dump the nuclear wastewater into the sea despite questions and objections from both home and abroad, whether Japan can keep its promises and strictly fulfill its obligations now remains completely doubtful.

In terms of nuclear disarmament, Japan's position is also self-contradictory and extremely hypocritical. For a long time, the Japanese government has been claiming to be a victim of nuclear weapons to gain sympathy from the international community. However, on the other hand, it has been blocking the nuclear disarmament process. 

The Biden administration is reportedly considering adjustments to nuclear policy - a "no first use" declaration. Japan became very anxious about this, trying hard to lobby the US to give up on the thought. More than 20 US officials and experts on nuclear disarmament, including former defense secretary William Perry, had to send an open letter to then Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga in August, asking Japan not to oppose US' adjustment of nuclear policies. Japan is afraid that it will lose the "nuclear umbrella." Some Japanese politicians even privately threatened that if the US adjusts its nuclear policy, Japan may start to possess nuclear weapons.

In fact, when discussing the Korean Peninsula and Iranian nuclear issues, Japan never mentioned the reasonable security concerns of these countries. It is now looking for excuses for its own nuclear possession under the banner of security concerns. This is an out-and-out double standard. Why do Japanese politicians always go against the international trend of peace for their own selfish interests?

According to the Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan, "the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes," while "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained." In other words, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are only for national defense. But is this the real case? 

The new submarine "Beluga" is equipped with six torpedo tubes and can also launch Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Besides, Japan openly adopted the name of the armored cruiser during World War I and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), calling its new destroyer "Izumo-class multi-purpose destroyer." The destroyer displaces approximately 20,000 tons with a capability to operate multiple helicopters and F-35B fighter jets. It is a quasi-aircraft carrier. Japan's blatant development of offensive weapons has gone far beyond its legitimate defense needs. It has blatantly stepped on its own Pacifist Constitution. Soon after new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida came into power, he moved forward discussions on obtaining capabilities to "strike enemy bases," restoring the ambition of missile capabilities during the Abe administration. If Japan's tactic is to be indulged, the popular manga Silent Service will one day come true and enables the country to do whatever it wants. 

For quite some time, Japan has been following the US closely in an attempt to become a normal country. It spared no effort to stir up regional disputes, creating tension among countries. It is a troublemaker in the region. Japan has planned to acquire Tomahawk cruise missile and extended-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile from the US, and has strengthened military cooperation with the US in areas including anti-missile, outer space and cyberspace. Japan has also caused trouble in the Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea. It has joined the US-led Quad and welcomed the trilateral security partnership AUKUS signed between the US, the UK and Australia. All of these acts have added uncertainties to the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, ignoring the concerns of countries and people in the region. Its series of moves even make surrounding countries wonder whether it will still adhere to the path of peaceful development?

Japanese people deeply know the huge harm of nuclear weapons. There has been rational and peaceful voice in Japan against nuke. However, such anti-nuke voice is declining compared with the right-wing force. It is the only choice for Japan to remember history and keep distance with nuke, nuclear submarines, and weapons-grade nuclear materials. The Japan will be dragged onto a self-destroying path if some Japanese politicians, instigated by the US, are obsessed with developing offensive weapons such as nuclear submarines and even nuclear weapons. They should not try to test out the bottom line of the international community. Japan can only be trusted internationally when it acts as it says and completely gives up the illusions about owning nuclear weapons.

The author is observer for international affairs. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn