Christin BakerVarious topics emerged last weekend at the Asian Regional Security Symposium, but North Korea’s recent nuclear weapon testing remained at the center of discussion.
UT’s Assistant Professor of Government and World Affairs Maria Rublee received a grant from the Center for Global Partnership at the Japan Foundation that allowed for the Symposium to take place. Along with Rublee’s efforts, UT’s International Programs Office provided additional support, added Rublee. Keynote speaker Mitsuru Kurosawa, one of Japan’s top nuclear experts, addressed the nuclear issues in Northeast Asia to a small group of college professors and selected UT students.
“I would like to take up two issues in connection with nuclear weapons in this area,” said Kurosawa. “[They are whether] Japan [is] going to go nuclear and how to deal with the nuclear weapons of North Korea.”
On Oct. 9, North Korea acknowledged their nuclear weapon testing. Their results influenced Japan to debate over the possibility of following suit.
“Japan is capable of making many nuclear weapons,” Kurosawa said. “However, the possibility of Japan going nuclear. “Japan should go nuclear under U.S. approval, as it will approve, and Japan should develop nuclear forces to be independent from the U.S.” said Kurosawa.
Kurosawa further brought to the forefront a statement declared by Japan’s Prime Minister Koizumi in June 2002: [My] cabinet has never considered nuclear weapons and earnestly abides by the three non-nuclear principles. The three principles indicate Japan will not have nuclear weapons, will not produce nuclear weapons and will not permit the introduction of nuclear weapons. Japan has adhered to the principles since the late 1960s.
“Japan would have to posses a whole new mind frame to become nuclear because they have always been looked upon as a non-nuclear country.” Kurosawa said.
During his presentation Kurosawa did expresshis opinion that favored Japan going nuclear.
“Japan should go nuclear under U.S. approval, as it will approve, and Japan should develop nuclear forces to be independent from the U.S.” said Kurosawa.
Japan serves as a U.S. ally, so their decision to go nuclear could put their relationship with the U.S. at risk. According to Kurosawa, the U.S. will never approve a nuclear Japan.
Hence, they need no nuclear weapons because of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. The security and support of Japan from the U.S. raises another concern.
Japan would be provoked to go nuclear if the trust of the nuclear umbrella from the U.S. was lost.
“As long as [we] can trust the U.S. problems will not occur,” Kurosawa said.
“[We] might think otherwise of going nuclear if we lose [their] trust of the nuclear umbrella.”
The defense mechanism between the U.S. and Japan must remain in tact for Japan to continue to opt out of producing nuclear weapons.
Negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. must quickly take place for results to surface on North Korea’s use of their nuclear weapons. Stalling is not the answer.
“In the first term, President Bush was reluctant to directly deal with North Korea and in essence did nothing, partly because he was busy [with the] Iraq War,” said Kurosawa.
“In the second term, he paid little attention to the issue, but mainly asked China to take a lead.”
North Korea has always received support from China. They are necessary for China to exist as a big country in Asia. They need North Korea’s assistance to be a buffer for the U.S. – even if they don’t agree with their nuclear weapon testing.
Yet, the solution to North Korea’s nuclear weapons doesn’t reside in the hands of China.
“The U.S. has to respond more seriously to North Korea’s problem than other countries because they have the most leverage … China can do many things, but the relation between North Korea and China will not solve the nuclear weapon issue.”
The U.S. is not doing enough right now. To acquire change the U.S. may have to re-evaluate their practices.
If the U.S. wants others to stop their nuclear testing, in exchange they must agree to give up all of their nuclear materials as well.
“The U.S. is setting bad examples for others right now with the showing of their nuclear weapons,” Kurosawa said.
“They should reduce nuclear weapons, stop preparation on nuclear cases and stop promoting nuclear weapons in the U.S.”
The U.S. and its allies, Japan and South Korea, could be very affected if North Korea decides to attack with nuclear weapons.
When asked if any other countries were of concern for having nuclear weapons in their possession, Kurosawa said, “Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia may have nuclear weapons. It all depends.”