Posted on 09/07/2006 12:09:04 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Tokyo urged to consider N-bombs
Peter Alford, Tokyo correspondent
September 07, 2006
JAPAN should study the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons, says former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, because its US security blanket cannot be guaranteed to last forever.
Mr Nakasone's call for the next government to consider nuclear weapons and to prepare an independent defence strategy comes from a man who as prime minister from 1982 to 1987 was the most outspoken Japanese leader in support of the US security alliance.
Famed for his warm "Ron and Yasu" relationship with then US leader Ronald Reagan, Mr Nakasone remains strongly pro-alliance, but on Tuesday he warned: "Whether or not the US will maintain the same attitude is unpredictable. There is a need to study the option of nuclear weapons."
Mr Nakasone, 88, now runs a think tank focused on security issues, the Institute for International Policy Studies, and is thought to be manoeuvring to become a mentor on international strategy to Shinzo Abe.
Mr Abe, who is virtually certain to become prime minister on September 26, shares many of the older man's views of military priorities.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
It has not gained widespread support yet. However, the public debate on nuke is starting. Where it would lead to, we don't know yet. For now, it can go both ways. It may die down or pick up momentum.
Ping!
At least Japan can cobble together several nukes in the span of a couple months if the need arose.
We should provide them some.
Six weeks or less, starting from zero, is the current thought. And they already have a proven delivery system in their space program's rockets.
"because its US security blanket cannot be guaranteed to last forever."
TRANSLATION:
"If Democrats win the White House, we're screwed, aand on our own."
I think that's EXTREMELY clear from his comments.....
The liberals and thier willing media allies have convinced a LOT of people that America cannot be counted on for ANYTHING under Democrat leadership.....
NO. Absolutely not. We can provide all the nuclear protection they need. They should concentrate on building up their conventional forces so they can be true allies and help share the burden of keeping their oil supplies flowing. I wouldn't object to 200,000 Japanese troops joning us in the ME. The mad mullah's are just as much a threat to them as they are to us.
Sure, good idea. They got the knowhow.
It sure would be nice if they made their feelings more public once in a while if this is the case. It might shut traitor media up a little.
No need. As others have posted already, Japan could become a strategic nuclear country within a *very* short time span. They have all the technological components, and know how, especially in the industrial machining equipment that would be required to shape the detonation assembly. They've had nuclear power plants for quite some time, and therefore should have a ready supply of nuclear material they can enrich to weapons grade. I'm sure that centrifuges wouldn't be a problem with their manufacturing capacity and prowess.
I do feel Japan needs to be re-militarized. I think the old ways are long gone, and, it's time that new Japan takes its rightful place in the world order. A second largest economy with almost no military presence ? That's a tad geopolitically untenable, to say the least.
It was, like the former PM said, because they sat comfortably under our umbrella.
Will they join the world nuclear military grouping?
I think about 30 minutes after they find it needed.(Know what I mean?)
OK.
That is, everybody will notice, not just those in E. Asia.
Sure would be nice, but the Japanese have seen how the dims hold a grudge. They're smart enough to keep quiet about it. Heck, I still vividly remember how they were so PO'd about losing in 2k they kept the Bush Administration from accessing basic government utilities and facilities while the Dims sabotaged government equipment. Tooks months to repair the damage. By then the Twin Towers got hit.
If the Dims are that horrid against their own nation, imagine how they'd treat a foreign power that tells the truth.
Seems the little punk in North Korea started all this.
Don't blame Japan and South Korea if they do go for nukes to protect themselves from N.Korea.
So let me get this straight.
Japan as a sovereign nation can develop a nuclear weapon, but Iran as a sovereign state cannot?
Just playing the devil.
Damn. Godzilla isn't going to like this...
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