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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014.China concerned at Japan holding weapons-grade plutonium
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FernandoUchiyama
Funny. Now China thinks she is USA, and that Japan is some country from Middle East.
House Atreides
That's funny coming from a country that itself has nuclear weapons and writes articles about nuking the United States.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/31/inside-china-nuclear-submarines-capable-of-widespr/
Nenad Jovanović
What a joke , country that wants to attack Japan, all day crying how Japan building it self military, and how they have weapon grade plutonium, they cry all day, just so that they can lower the readiness of Japan Arm Forces .
Serrano
Plutonium is extremely nasty stuff. There shouldn't be any more of it made anywhere.
Saketown
Well, it's about time Japan "Nukes-Up"!
They need to get ready to stand up to hostile nuclear powers that currently have Deployable Weapons Graded Nukes & consistently pose a treat to Japan - Such as China and North Korea.
jakelittle
I think China is afraid for the Americans what Japan may do with the nukes.
Steven C. Schulz
Yes, unweaponized and with no delivery vehicle, unlike Lil' Kim's Hermit Kingdom.
Put your money where your mouth is PRC and dismantle your weapons before criticizing others - or at least put and end to North Korea's program. Japan should arm based on the threat from them alone.
titaniumdioxide
This is another part of their PR battle against Japan. Next "China is concerned about Japan eating sushi." LMAO. It's not China's business to remind Japan about those "Pu", it's the U.S..
OssanAmerica
China's nuclear arsenal is a bigger concern to the United States, Russia, EU and all of Asia, Japan agreed to return the plutonium for fear of terrorism. Typical of China's 6th grade approach to villifying Japan every which way it can,
overchan
Hahaha. China is so funny today
slumdog
I am beginning to fear that some, if not most, of the government of China are delusional.
BurakuminDes
Im glad the Japanese government eventually agreed to give up their weapons-grade plutonium. Let's hope all nuclear-capable nations eliminate all nuclear weapons.
Alejandro S. Arashi
Very rich coming from China, which is the world's largest nuclear proliferator directly responsible for Pakistan, North Korea nuclear weapons programs.
JanesBlonde
Every time I hear a read or see a press statement from China I always think to "The Life Of Brian" by Monty Python.
"Today we shall release Woderwick!"
Yes, to us, China and the Chinese government are funny and ridiculous in their statements.
However the scary thing is that due to state controlled propaganda, a large part of the uneducated population in China tend to believe what they say ..... in relation to external International matters.
Of course when they spin news locally, even the uneducated population know that its BS.
No wonder China whats to keep the "GREAT INTERNET IRON FIREWALL" in place.
pointofview
Weren`t all you people slagging off Iran for building their nuclear program but now you have no problem with Japan holding weapons grade material??? Ahh...hypocrisy.
JanesBlonde
Maybe because unlike Iran, Japan's leader is NOT saying "Israel does not deserve to exist" and "We will wipe Israel and its allies off the face off the earth".
There is a reason why the international community is concerned about Iran's nuclear program and also those nut jobs in North Korea.
SamuraiBlue
@pointofview
If you read the article carefully you'll find that the Plutonium in question was bought before the Non-Proliferation Treaty was put in place in the 70's.
Japan had the chance to pursue nuclear armament back then like PRC but did not.
Tell me which is more hypocite?
Seirei Tobimatsu
Better improve public relations for global trade & clean energy cooperation.
Chenchan
Haha, I'm sure it's not that hard for Japanese intel to transport some of Plutunium from... China itself! But surely China plays some big game here.
Seirei Tobimatsu
Speak only sweet words?
CrazyJoe
The 300 grams of plutonium is for use at the critical facility (fast reactor critical experimental apparatus) at the Tokai- mura in Ibaraki Prefecture. For China to maintain its military superiority in Asia, it's a disadvantage to them if Japan has plutonium which can be diverted to military use. Japan has 44 tons of plutonium (the equivalent to 5,000 nuclear warheads).
Kuribo1
Realistically like Japan does not have the technology, the know how, the money or the capability to slam out a nuke in a weekend. If Japan really wanted to go that route China would have little to say about it.
KariHaruka
Caused concern in the international community? This is news to me! China is of course very delusional.
StormR
Japan should have nuclear weapons for defence, china would STFD and STFU then I think knowing that its little neighbour has the capability to sort them out very quickly.
China needs to clean its own backyard before it continuously berates Japan over every little thing.
"China complains that Japan eats sushi" as a previous poster mentioned, Exactly china is like a 3 year old child with attention disorders.
paulinusa
"I am beginning to fear that some, if not most, of the government of China are delusional."
There's a method to their madness. The constant barrage of attacks, no matter how silly they sometimes seem, is first and foremost aimed at the Chinese audience and secondarily the international audience. It's all about reinforcing the "Japan is evil" sentiment.
Nenad Jovanović
@pointofview
Comparing crazy religious country as Iran with Japan, is nonsense, Iran has the law where if women is raped, is charged with adultery, and she can be stoned on death, and there is record of prosecuting 16 year girl(Atefah Sahaaleh)in 2005 for same thing, they cited that she slept with older taxy drives, and because of that, she was executed , and dont tell me that men can also be prosecuted, in almost all cases men were freed from prosecution , with the idea that women are to be blamed for the rape ,so,if Iranian people openly exploit women and geting away with that ,not only with rape, but also, with their death, because those women get executed for adultery . I cant trust country that behave like that today .
TrevorPeace1
Hang on to it, Abe-san.
CH3CHO
Would someone help me understand why the material must be "returned" even though it was "bought"?
EthanWilber
For the sake of peace, China should stop provoking Japan.
I suspect that China is increasingly using Japan as a “whipping boy” to target at the US which has increased its efforts recently in assisting some members of ASEAN to push back Chinese claims in South China Sea.
However, I don’t think that it would be wise move for Japan to contemplate any nuclear weapon program now or in the future; it just opens up a can of worms.
Pukey2
I'd be concerned too. I have to bloody live here! We all know what can happen when authorities have clumsy fingers and lie through their teeth. By the way, how's the ocean of Fukushima doing?
Christopher Blackwell
Does this mean that china is going get rid of its 2 tons of weapons grade plutonium. it's about 250 atomic warheads and around 500 missiles for delivering them. No? Then what is the problem with the little bit that Japan has.
Americanhonor
The International community are concerned at china for threatening to nuke the US, illegally setting up an air defence zone in waters that are not its own. And for going for south near Australia and holding undeclared miltary exercises without even informing Australia.
Yes, the international community is concerned at China's growing hypocrisy and hostile attitude.
Meanwhile Japan is increasingly being seen as a level headed co operative pacific and south east Ocean neighbour.
But china is the one that will eventually push Japan to arm up if it has to... And yes Japan has the technology and ability to do it quickly if theres no other choice.
China the voldermort of asia seems to think its fair to ask Japan to lower its hands so it can sucker punch it in the face like it did the Philippines recently.
Sorry China best you disarm your nukes, pull out of the spratly islands and remove your illegal and provocstive air defense zone first, then we may take you seriously.
Your intentions are not peace oriented.
Japan is a good nation respected for its cool headedness and co operative friendly attitude overall, towards its south east asian and pacific neighbours. China on the other hand are not to be trusted at all.
Shinjuku No Yaju
Next it will be "China accuses Japan of inflating war tension by allowing the Sun to rise in the east each morning"
Pandabelle
Did I miss the time when China disarmed, disavowed nuclear weapons? No?
Then quite frankly, they should just shut up.
Nat Turner
I hear a lot of comments in here, but, I think we should all be afraid if these two great nations go at each other. Nuclear aint skuds.
viking68
zichi, my thoughts exactly.
Japan can build a bomb with little notice without this overly troublesome plutonium. They have the technology and resources. It would not be difficult to deploy either, e.g., a dumb bomb lobbed in from a long distance by a supersonic jet, a civilian missile reconfigured, etc.
Yet, in spite of this capacity, Japan has not built a bomb, even with NK threatening nuclear annihilation and China beating war drums.
China and China's PR machine is just grasping at anything to distract people in its own aggressive policies against its neighbors and citizens. They are following the footsteps of the worlds evil propagandists in supporting atrocities and using scapegoats to deflect attention from themselves.
25psot
Counting every pound of plutonium could be sign China is into something bad with their nukes which could come out from the ground like shiitake after rain.
GalapagosnoGairaishu
Seeing that Japan has shown no interest whatsoever in acquiring nuclear weapons, this kind of hysterical Chinese propaganda could only be described as weapons-grade bolognium. It's also hypocritical, considering China conducted its first nuclear weapons tests in the 1960s.
pointofview
@janes, Samurai, nenad
You are just picking and choosing based on the fed western propaganda youve heard over your lifetime. To say that these countries can have it and others cant is just nonsense. This is what you have been taught so you dont know any better. The exact reason why bullying countries are hated. If I had my way there would be none of these weapons or material to be used for weaponry. But to say "they can have it but you cant" is the deepest form of hypocrisy. Samurai, you only ever make pro Japan comments no matter the issue so I can`t take you seriously anyway.
DJDon
Too much ranting from China, which suggests that they are the ones who is really up to no good.
fds
like i said, japan should scientifically test a thermo nuclear device. its just scientific research, kinda like whaling :)
as someone once said historically, no nation that possess nuclear weapons has had it borders seriously threatened.
JTDanMan
Japan has nuclear weapons? I am shocked! Shocked!!
;)
Fox Cloud Lelean
Oh yes, that is a major concern. A pacifist nation holding Plutonium? Absolutely unthinkable. Please note, I am being as sarcastic as it is possible to be. So Japan has Plutonium? Big deal. I think everyone's more concerned about the aggressive, expansionist, militaristic superpower armed with nuclear warheads with a very bloody history of invasion and genocide (That's China, before any of you smart alecs try to say otherwise). Either that, or they're worried about the completely unstable rogue state with history of threatening to nuke the US, and with a despotic leader who had his own uncle executed. Shut up China, we're sick of hearing your nonsense.
Sentiments
Ok and yet another opportunity for Abe. Now he can make up some idea that that they will return it the same day as China starts decommissioning there nuclear arms. This political conflict is a dream for researchers in political science.
Wakarimasen
time to reveal we also have Dokuta Sturengiravu
Disillusioned
I think China should be made aware that, the rest of the world is concerned China has weapons grade plutonium.
tokyo-star
I think something bad must be going down inside China, and they are using Japan as a scapegoat to try and rein in the public discord. The country won't last the decade before it collapses ala ex-Soviet style and splits into multiple nation states. It will be bad for a while, but it will be better for everyone in the end.
jh808
Let's just hope that all this bs will resolve. We got bigger issues to worry about.
Daniel Neagari
Keep pushing China... you push and push... but one day suddenly the quiet little boy (japan) is going to react and it is going to get ugly.
WilliB
That "concern" is pretty weird, coming from an unelected dictatorship with territorial ambitions on its neighbours, which actually owns nuclear weapons.
But welcome to the wonderful world of Chinese government propaganda...
Michael Craig
Japan SHOULDN'T have PLUTONIUM or nuclear weapons at all!!
Daniel Neagari
@Michael Craig Japan does not have nukes.... and Plutonium usage is not limited to only weapons in case you didn't knew that.
Also... Plutonium is not the only radioactive metal that can be use to create nukes either...better rethink your statement.
CH3CHO
I am wondering which country should safeguard the 300 kg of plutonium. Is US such an obvious answer, in light it has technology to change the material into nuclear warhead and it has means of delivery?
sanyuyulai
It is a good thing that China pushes further and harder for the benefit of the world! If Japan is not to be named more evil, not less than N.K. nor Iran that should not be named evils at all (both not invasive). why should Japan worried? After all provision of any materials capable for nuke weapon by the 2 above are yet in doubt. With existing plutonium in the hands of the Japanese, why shouldn't the world worries a country full of mentality illed leaders and most ambushed history? Keeping what is not yours for long is really doubtful!
Michael Erickson
Much of this story is B.S. Japan did not buy the Weapons Grade materials for "Research Purposes". There is numerous documentary evidence strewn all over the Internet that tells about the true reasons for Nuclear Weapons Grade materials being in Japan (just search: Japan Nuclear Bombs to see it). In fact, Prime Minister Abe's uncle (former Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda) was keen to secretly develop Nuclear Missiles after end of World War-II, but was not allowed to do so by the Japanese Constitution. Current USA Ambassador Caroline Kennedy's father (President JF Kennedy) wanted to deploy Nuclear Bombs and Chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) into Okinawa and mainland Japan, ostensibly pointed at China (but perhaps pointed at Russia also), and wanted to store Nuclear Weapons Grade materials in Japan. This would allow USA to pretend to comply with the limits of international weapons agreements. Thus, JF Kennedy threatened Japan government, that the only way the Japanese people would ever let Japan have Okinawa back again would be if Japan agreed to deployment by U.S. military of Nuclear Bombs into Japan. Thus, President Kennedy and Prime Minister Ikeda struck a secret deal that would last decades. President Ikeda so convincingly lied to the Japanese people and professed to be peace-loving (and hated nuclear weapons) to the point that he won a Nobel Peace Prize, but he and the LDP Party never told the Japanese people what a phony he was. Prime Minister Ikeda later admitted this secret bargain in public to the press years later. The Japanese got Okinawa returned to them, and the Japanese factories got US Military contracts for development of Nuclear Bomb parts and supplies. The Americans received a willing and secret repository for nuclear and chemical WMDs in Japan. Although it has not been proven...as yet...some members of the DPJ Party have been telling Fukushima Environmental Cleanup attendees that one of the reasons that Japan's government will not allow American businesses into Daiichi Power Plant (and one of the reasons for the huge explosions) is because they are still trying to hide all the Weapons Grade materials there...and don't want nosy foreigners to find out.
Kobuta Chan
Well if Communist Chinese leaders really concerning about Japan possess of Nuclear Bomb and then China shouldn't bully Japan and respect Japanese territory. Otherwise, as you know Japan has technology and can assemble Nuclear Bomb in 15 Minutes like easy cooking meal.
If Japanese Government has trying to obtain Nuclear Bomb and then it will be Communist China fault because Communist Chinese Military is harassing Japan and threatening attack its neighbors. If Japanese Government trying to possess or make world biggest all mother of Nuclear Bombs and then I can say it's fair to own biggest Nuclear Bomb. Chinese peoples must blame their Communist Leaders. Frankly, Abe already have two bombs.
viking68
China pushes for the benefit of the Chinese politburo and them alone. It is not a good neighbor working for the benefit of the world. The world can tell the differences even if common Chinese cannot.
CH3CHO
Michael EricksonFeb. 18, 2014 - 02:10PM JST
Hayato Ikeda is not Abe's uncle. Enough of conspiracy theory.
Olegek
Tell me why ?
Chamkun
Me,too.I want know the reason. By the way,China should open their mouth after they destroy their WOMD, first.I know so many of them have been set to Japan.Japan must stop giving ODA any more. It is helping their nasy weapons indirectly.Till I the last year. Japan has given to 3650000000000 yen since 1978.
nath
In an unfriendly neighbourhood everyone would be concerned about some issue like this.
tyvtgo1US
Japan Taiwan, South Korea all should have a nuclear deterrent, against China and it building aggressive stance against all its neighbors!
Why is it these dictator self imposed ruled countries are nuclear armed and the free democratic nations are sitting ducks to their aggression?
There is something totally wrong with this and as we see, no0 one has the balls to face China to begin with, US is doing nothing and CHina keeps pushing forward with its expansion and aggression and being nuclear armed...And its little right arm , North Korea that China is the reason for its nuclear weapons by blocking everything in the UN security council that could have stopped them,, same with Iran.
If North Korea or in the future, Iran would use nuclear weapons against any country, the target should be China in retaliation for these two countries actions, since China was the sole provider for them to exists. Western nations should state this position in to the face of China!!!!!!!!
sengoku38
China holds nuclear weapons!
tyvtgo1US
Has China in any way been a friend and partner to the west and its friends and partners? NO! So why has everyone helped with the rise of China and still today supporting China's rise.
As we see Japan focused on self defense and even if Japan expands it military and capabilities, it is still based on self defense even with article nine abolished completely!!!!!! It is self defense and not aggression.
We see what China's military build up has brought and what it is used for... Offense and aggression!!
Now we have China talking about Japan?????????? China talks about the west having cold war mentality????? With what China has been doing, this is totally China spitting into the face of the world!
nath
The 2 biggest trading "partners" in a situation managed by 19.century politic thinking, wohh... Makes any move an awkward maneuver.
Altruist777
China really needs to get rid of their "we're now such a super power and so we can do what we please and don't give a hiccup about you" kind of attitude. Because, from outside, it looks really stupid.
Thunderbird2
Oh for pity's sake... shut the eff up, China!
Has it caused concern? This is the first I've heard about it... must be really worrying the rest of the planet.
Qamar
.........correction; NO COUNTRY should have any nuclear grade material (?) at all!!
On another note: I'm getting pretty tired of this China and Korea vs. Japan news... I thought politicians were mature, responsible people...
pablo944
Get real world. Japan has never acted as a threat to other nations unless under attack. The Japanese are the most admirable race of people on the planet and should not be hindered by the paranoa of a dictatorship nation like China. Japan has enough to worry about without other nations making their very existence any more difficult. As a nation they have no natural resources for fuel so that is why plutonium is a necessary comodity. Not only do they have the constant threats of volcanic activity, eathquakes, tsunamis etc. but they also have China.
Kick a nation whilst they're down why don't you? Leave them alone or offer some help. They are struggling whilst China is a rising nation determined to achieve global domination. Personally I have never met a race of people that are more sincere and human than the Japanese.
Bear27840
China has nuclear weapons that they would use on Japan given the chance while Japan ha NO nuclear weapons to use against China to even protect itself.
This is like the black kettle calling the tea pot grey.
Masaki Miyamoto
In addition to the plutonium that was provided by the United States,Japan has been a large amount of plutonium held the weapon level.
It is equivalent to 5,000 nuclear warheads minute shot.
Japan has held everything needed for nuclear weapons development.
Funds, nuclear technology, ballistic missile (solid fuel rocket), etc.
Is preventing nuclear weapons in Japan, only the "GHQ Constitution".
Discard the "Constitution GHQ" Japan, as in the UK, you should share the burden of the United States.
hatsoff
This will be good news for Hong Kong and Taiwan too, and make the region a safer place. Bring it on.
JanesBlonde
The real issue here is that there is a very hard core group of military men in China who have been waiting a life time for China to be in a position to "Show The World" what an amazing Military Power China is. For them Japan is an easy and obvious target - TO BEGIN WITH!
The statements that these Chinese "MILITARY MEN" are making are truly frightening. It gives us an insight into what they are actually thinking. Nuke the US, Invade Japan etc .... these people have a 1939 pre-wrold war 2 mind set.
The region and world needs to take a strong stance against Chinas aggressive expansionist actions. SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. And South Korea's (supposedly a Japan and US ally) siding with China in their "My enemies enemy is my friend" will once again learn the hard way for they poor choices and childish game playing.
888naff
Can’t take china security council seat serious with all the blood on their hands in recent years and decades.
yosun
It's so understandable why the US seriously request Japan to return weapons-grade plutonium lately.
hatsoff
Yosun
To you, maybe. But please enlighten us with a non-hysterical, reasonable explanation.
nath
Say what? Ever hear of that little skirmish they lovingly refer to as World War 2?
evian1
I think Abe Shinzo is in for a good time, it's rare for China nick-picking on whatever Japan (under Abe san) does this time. Mind you, China still has a foreign policy of non interference of foreign affair. It's strange unless and until Abe vanished, or whoever the ultraright wing keep stirring up all those old wounds.
OssanAmerica
He's talking about post WWII Japan.
JTDanMan
Uhm, Japan has 1 MOX fast reactor, Jōyō (常陽), in Ōarai, Ibaraki, Japan. So?
Fast reactors have significantly higher enrichment:
-- source Wikipedia
In short, Japan makes its own weapons pre-grade plutonium, and has since 1977.
Japan has the fuel, it has the tech, and it has the delivery system (planes, and satillite tech)
Japan is a de facto nuclear power.
ka_chan
Japan has been a de facto nuclear state for years and 300 kilograms is nothing. Japan does have a delivery vehicle, M-V. Japan has all the pieces needed to make over 1,000 warheads. Japan also have been involved in the development of nuclear weapons so this is nothing new. But everyone knows this. It isn't new. Yes, Japan signed the NPT but Japan isn't whaling either, now is it.
Bryan E Hall
Japan has been ready to simply attach warheads to delivery vehicles for years; and their Nuclear stockpiles are much larger than official records would indicate. China should not pretend this is something new, as if they just found out about it. And certainly China should not presume to be warning us when they are far more likely than japan to be a real threat to the world with their looming bubble. I mean, after the bubble, who will have the most incentive to use military instead of the money they no longer have?
yosun
After the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Japan’s nuclear reactors remain idle. Plutonium that would have been used for power generation thus sits unused, and the reprocessing plan would only add to the stockpile. A symposium (co-sponsored by The Asahi Shimbun Co. and Princeton University) held in early January in Tokyo underlined regional concerns about Japan’s plutonium. Steve Fetter, formerly the White House’s assistant director on the Office of Science and Technology Policy, argued that Japan should not continue to accumulate plutonium without clear plans to use it for power generation. He pointed out that the growing stockpile of plutonium suggests to other countries that Japan is effectively developing “a type of nuclear deterrent” without actually taking the step of building a bomb. Japan’s actions could also encourage other countries in the region, including South Korea, to push back against the international pressure that killed their own nuclear fuel reprocessing programs._ THE DIPLOMAT.