Japanese Leaders Clash Over Nukes

In Japan, even having a discussion over the nation's nuclear status has split Japan's governing national party, the LDP. The leading players in the drama? LDP senior party members Shoichi Nakagawa (left), a nuclear advocate, and Toshihiro Nikai (right), a strong opponent of evening discussing the issue.

This debate is vitally important to understanding today's non-proliferation issues. Japan, as the only nation to suffer a nuclear attack, is an essential piece of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Whereas many would point to the India-US nuclear deal, Iran's nuclear posturing, or North Korea's nuclear defiance as the crucial test of non-proliferation, Japan's nuclear status is an under-reported and no less important proliferation issue.

The Scotsman offers a Reuters report. The report displays well the weight of the Japanese nuclear dilemma, as it is the sole nation to suffer a nuclear strike:

Japan watched nervously as North Korea fired off a series of ballistic missiles in July and tested a nuclear device last month.

As the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Japan is highly sensitive about nuclear issues and even suggestions the country hold a debate about having nuclear weapons has created a controversy.

For more detail into the political split within Japan's ruling party, this AP report (courtesy of the International Tribune) is the place to go:

Prime Minister Abe has repeatedly insisted his party won't stray from its long-standing non-nuclear principles, but hasn't been able to bring hawks like Nakagawa and Foreign Minister Taro Aso in line with party policy. That has raised doubts, among some, of Abe's ability to keep his lieutenants in check.

"Abe's Cabinet is obviously divided on this issue," lawmaker Yoshiaki Takaki of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan told NHK. "These are grave remarks and cannot be overlooked."

The Chinese newspaper Xinhua offers insight into the political calculus of Japanese opposition parties: Reporting on their recent call that Japanese Foreign Minister resign-- owing to his support of a pro-nuclear advocate within his party.

Clearly the nuclear issue is a hot-button issue within Japan-- dividing the ruling party and stirring fierce debate nationally. This is good news for proliferation doves who fear an further erosion of the non-proliferation norm. Yet realists may point out that it is only a matter of time before Japan's embraces its nuclear capability.

Unfortunately the effects of such a decision would undermine any international cooperation on Iran, and would most likely spur a new arms race in Asia between China and Japan.