Japan's Aso says OK to debate going nuclear

[maddezmom]

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said on Wednesday there was nothing wrong with discussing whether the country should possess nuclear weapons, although he stressed that Tokyo has no intentions now of going nuclear.

Aso echoed contentious views expressed on Sunday by ruling party policy chief Shoichiro Nakagawa that Japan -- the only country to have suffered an atomic bombing -- needs to discuss whether it should arm itself with nuclear weapons in response to North Korea's nuclear test.

"When a country next to us comes to have (nuclear weapons), we can't consider, we can't talk, we can't do anything, and we can't exchange opinions. That's one way of thinking," Aso told a lower house panel on foreign affairs.

"I believe it is important to have various discussions on it (possessing nuclear weapons) as one more way of thinking."

He made the remarks as lawmakers discussed what Japan should do in response to North Korea's nuclear test on October 9.

more; http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061018/wl_nm/nuclear_japan_dc

[vickitulsa]

1. This news is both surprising -- and NOT surprising, in a way.

For all the reasons cited, it "makes sense" for Japan to at least discuss the nuclear issue. That doesn't mean they will conclude they should overturn their longstanding non-nuclear policies.

What occurs to me is that the Japanese know more about the effects of nuclear weapons than anyone, so their voice on the subject should carry some weight. Who knows better what they're actually talking about on this issue?

I don't know whether they might view nuclear attacks as "survivable," since that nation's people did recover and rebuild in time. Some might see it that way.

But I'll bet most Japanese would see the prospect of a new nuclear arms race which includes them this time as unthinkable.

I guess we'll see how it plays out.

[BootinUp]

2. Clark was on Fox news

a couple days ago, basically predicting that several countries including Japan would be pushed to develop nukes in response to NK nuclear testing.

[bananas]

3. There's no reason for them not to

They have plenty of nuclear physicists and material to construct weapons with.
There's no reason for them to trust the U.S. to protect them.

[wholetruth00]

4. Remember, Japan has a REAL bone to pick with the US.

The US dropped nukes on them and imprisoned many Japanese Americans during WWII. The Japanese have set out to thwart us on the economic level which they almost succeeded in doing during the late 80's and early 90's. They are great at pretending to like us but they are using us until they regain their national strength and fortitude AND they are smarter than most. They will use the N.Korean issue to blind side us and we will fall for it in a big way.

[enigma000]

5. And how many Japanese do you know?

Everything I've read suggests the Japanese want to remain a close ally of the United States. The Koreans and Chinese have a far more compelling reason to distrust the Japanese than we do.

[Pavulon]

14. Wrong

I do business in japan. They are an ally. They buy defense systems from us. They are given top tier systems.

They are friendly with the us and have a thriving business culture with us companies.

Japan could build a thermonuclear weapon and means of delivery in short order.

[ItNerd4life]

6. Japan could go nuclear over a weekend

With the knowledge they have, it wouldn't take them long at all.

Some opinion I read said they wouldn't 'flip the switch' unless it became obsolutely necessary. But with their technology and resources just flip a switch and presto, they have nuclear weapons.

I hope they don't go nuclear.

[brentspeak]

7. Sooner or later, Japanese nationalism is going to rear its head again

That's when the problems start.

[fujiyama]

12. Maybe

but it's difficult to condemn or criticize them for considering a nuke program. They are surrounded by several undemocratic nuclear nations, one of which is very unstable and has threatened them on multiple occassions.

I personally can't blame them for going nuclear. It makes sense at this point.

And I can't blame them for not trusting the US to completely protect or defend them either.

[Blaq Dem]

8. Is the name 'Aso' short for 'Assh*le'?

Just asking.

[requiem99]

9. What kind of comment is that? Aren't you on the wrong board?

[slackmaster]

10. Oklahoma is going to debate going nuclear?

Saints preserve us!

:nuke:

[fedsron2us]

11. This is why the Chinese were so jumpy about the NK nuclear test

[daleo]

13. Would there be U.N. sanctions if they went nuclear?

Very unlikely, even though they have a history of waging aggressive war, less than a decade before the Korean War.