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Japan should be capable of building nuclear weapon: LDP's Ishiba

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"If we don't have knowledge about nuclear weapons, we would not develop an awareness of how to defend ourselves against them"

Mr Ishiba shows complete ignorance of nuclear warfare.

In 1945, having experienced the effects of two nuclear bombs in Japan, it must be obvious that there is not any defense!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I am going to go out on a limp here and guess this was cherry-picked from a direct question, or comment related to nukes and the authors are out to make him seem like a nuclear-hawk. Kind of "yellow-journalism" as it doesn't provide the context not content of what he may have intended.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

There is no defense against a nuclear weapon other than to not be hit by one at all.

Japan clearly has the technology to develop a nuke if it wants to. Should it build one for a deterrence? That's up to the Japanese themselves.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Just as the last hibakusha die off. Apparently history takes 70 years to forget.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Japan already has the ability to make nuclear weapons. And if he's not advocating making them then his comment is pointless.

HollisBrownToday 07:11 am JSTAh, so this is why they 'love' Trump.

He's only been here one day and the ruling party have started making noises about acquiring nuclear weapons

The "ruling party" didn't say anything.

"Shigeru Ishiba, FORMER secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party,"

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Here is how this will pan out. The villain(trump) will bully Japan to react first, then say it wasn't me that fired first.

Gives the US an excuse to retaliate.

Such a shallow simp trump is.

His Modes Operand is to get what he would call friends to do his dirty work. Then drop them like a hot potato.

His kind are littered throughout history.

Please Japan, do not fall for this mans FAKE KINDNESS.

He will USE AND ABUSE YOU.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Abandon peace constitution and desire to have nuclear capability is a dangerous mix.

Abe must denounce the intention and make a public statement to apologize.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Now there is a reason to have more outdated weapons. There is NO nuclear defence against nuclear weapons...geesh hasn't he seen all the doomsday movies depicting this? Besides the US navy has plenty of them why waste your time and energy making your own. Nuclear weapons use = Humans Extinct ...and most other living things.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Dirty little secret - Japan is capable of building a nuclear weapon and manufacturer's parts which are used in such weapons. The quote should be "Japan should be allowed to build a nuclear weapon".

That said; the world should be striving for non proliferation rather than more nuclear states. Another tough issue - who gets to decide who gets the weapons and who cannot have them......

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It looks like most people here have trouble reading. This guy isn't part of the current government and he is only talking about the capability to develop nuclear weapons, which Japan already possesses. To add to it, he even states that he doesn't think Japan should have nukes.

Regardless of whether you think Japan should or shouldn't develop their own nukes, the fact is that they have the capability to develop their own nukes at any time they wish, with an estimated nuclear breakout of only a few months.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Nothing new here - this idea has been put forth many times before.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Doooh!!! Stating the obvious. It would be completely irresponsible from Japan not to secretly research into this. I am pretty certain they can build if needed a bomb in very little time, given the extensive knowhow with nuclear technology available in the country, and their good relationship with US. That they swore not to use one, that is something else. Not to know how to make and use one, that would be stupid.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ah, so this is why they 'love' Trump.

He's only been here one day and the ruling party have started making noises about acquiring nuclear weapons. I wonder if Trump and Abe have already done a deal regarding the purchase of some American technology.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Japan has the capability to go nuclear any time it wants. All the materials are available. I would be surprised if parts were not pre-positioned.

The problem is the loser in NK. And with the example of the US / USSR cold war it's a fact that deterrence by the ability to retaliate is necessary.

At this point I would say that Japan has to develop the ability to let the third fatty understand that any attack on Japan will be the end of his regime no matter what China or the US thinks about it. Japan can't be a sitting duck any longer. Time for credible deterrence.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I certainly think that japan should have nukes readily available, could be their own or not. If one of Japan's closest allies agreed to put their own nukes at their disposal in the event of a nuclear attack (no/minimal questions asked, immediately etc) then there's probably no need for japan to have their own.

In any case, I do understand that a country like Japan i.e rich, geographically isolated and within striking distance of nk/china/Russia's own nukes does feel vulnerable.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And so it begins. The infection is spreading.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

And Japan is going down the very same road that lead to it being the first and only country on which nuclear weapons have been used. Well, thank you complacent voters, but we deserve what we get (except the little kids).

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Strikebreaker555Today 11:55 am Japan is now openly saying that every country that feels threatened by either Russia, North Korea or China should aquire nuclear weapons, even though they are protected under the US and NATO umbrella!!

Really? Where are they saying that??

1 ( +1 / -0 )

'"If we don't have knowledge about nuclear weapons, we would not develop an awareness of how to defend ourselves against them."

Has Shigeru Ishiba been studying Confucianism?

Knowing how to make nukes is not a requisite to knowing their effects, and defenses against those effects.

The US fooled Japan into attacking Pearl, so they could join WWII (read 'Day of Deceit' by Robert B. Stinnett; don't let them fool you again.

Think Fukushima; apart from 'how it happened', why was Stuxnet found on their computers?

Don't join up with the War Criminals who want to rule the world, at whatever cost to the majority of people.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@OssanAmerica

"Only if you needlessly provoke a nuclear power and threaten then with nuclear attack. Most nations with nuclear weapons don't do this for obvious reasons."

Which is exactly what Trump is doing. You poke the bear enough and.....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How bout NO!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The argument of having nuclear weapons as a "deterant" could also have the opposite effect of making oneself a "target".

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If Japan, the only country that has suffered from an atomic bomb aquires nuclear weapons. That will surely destroy the prospect of a nuclear-free world!! Japan is now openly saying that every country that feels threatened by either Russia, North Korea or China should aquire nuclear weapons, even though they are protected under the US and NATO umbrella!!

It's complete nonsense from a country with deep roots of pacifism stretching back to the end of WW2! Why didn't LDP change the constitution before? If it always was their long cherished goal as JapanToday stated earlier. To aquire nuclear weapons is not only to undermine the world's trust in Japan on this issue, but also to undermine the sufferings of the Hibakusha! What has happened Japan during these 6 continous years of Abe-ruling, what has happened?

Is this how Japan will change the world for the better? With nuclear arms?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

StewieToday 11:38 am JST The argument of having nuclear weapons as a "deterant" could also have the opposite effect of making oneself a "target".

Only if you needlessly provoke a nuclear power and threaten then with nuclear attack. Most nations with nuclear weapons don't do this for obvious reasons. North Korea of course is an exception.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Japan should have the technology to build a nuclear weapon if it wants to do so," the former defense minister said in a speech in Tokyo.

"But I don't take the position that Japan should have nuclear weapons," Ishiba added.

WTF! Did this 'jiji' forget to take his medicine today? Japan should, but Japan shouldn't. What the heck is that rhetoric!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Awarness: Japan was/ is from long time ago capable to possess nukes, but not able to do in the name of peace of no more Hiroshima again, the world knows and it is very dangerous those extreme right wing lawmakers use the capable to able, to make harm.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Perhaps Mr. Shigeru Ishiba should study this: 'Duck And Cover (1951) Bert The Turtle':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60

I'm sure with a good deal of thought, and considering all the new techniques and technology since 1951, he and his aides can come up with a better plan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In an ideal world there should be no nuclear weapons. Period.

Radiation fallout does not respect national borders; suffusing the water, food and air, it adversely affects all of life on the planet.

North Korea (DPRK) has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons on Japan, and to turn Tokyo into a sea of flames. This is completely irresponsible language. If Japan ever decides to go ahead and start manufacturing them, it will be North Korea who has to take the blame. Nuclear China and Russia have challenged Japan with their fighters and bombers, but the rules of the game are maintained, and Japan does not feel immediately threatened. DPRK is rocking the nuclear boat, however, and the price they pay may well be a nuclear-armed Japan. I would not blame Japan if sadly she felt forced into such a position. It would be a stalemate, yes, but with luck one that would hold, as between the US and Russia.

As Ishida says above: "If/when Japan wants to (build a nuclear weapon), she should have the technology to do so, although that is not to say that right here and now that she should build them."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hiro S Nobumasa, Abe's weapon against China is his secret stupidity.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mujun!

So, most people here believe that Japan should have, and is entitled to have, nuclear weapons. But they also believe that North Korea, who to my knowledge has never invaded Japan or any other neighboring sovereign state - should NOT have nuclear weapons?

This sounds hypocritical to me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

AkieNov. 6 07:01 pm JST Just imagine that Japan has 1000 nuclear weapons today, what would Japan do ?

1000 lol. China has 260 as of 2015. What have they, a militant dictatorship done?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ossan, What China does is that she never threatened to use the nuclear weapon against Japanese people, and will never do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There are a lot of things Japan should be capable to do, but nuclear weapon is definitely not one of them. LDP is speaking out to be against the constitution and international laws. It is impeachable offense.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The best defense against nuclear weapons is to be a peaceful, neutral country that abstains from all overseas military adventures until these useless WMD are eventually abolished by a more enlightened and civilized generation of humanity. Ishiba's trite 10 cents on this issue is a measure of the LDP's intellectual bankruptcy.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Just imagine that Japan has 1000 nuclear weapons today, what would Japan do ? Clearly, Abe's LDP is no better than NKorea in disregard international laws and Japanese history. It is even sad that Abe exports Japanese nuclear technology to nations that violated international laws to make nuclear weapons as Nkorea did. Abe still believes that the force is the only way to resolve problems with other nations. Abe hasn't learned anything from Japanese history. Abe should know that Japan isn't the only nation on the earth that can make nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapon threat is a big component in Abe's foreign policy, that is very dangerous to Japanese people and a real threat to the world peace.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

https://www.quora.com/Just-How-Scary-is-the-North-Korean-Nuclear-Threat/answer/Steven-Martin-2

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It's time to change the constitution's Article 9 and Japan to build its own nuclear bomb..

Insanity. Just look at your history. And tell me how the mindset has changed.

...the US government is just using Japan as your cash dispenser, enough is enough!

And why did the U.S. take control of Japan? Besides, Japan has prospered greatly since that time - not only due to the human slavery that Japan puts its own people under, but under the protective umbrella of the U.S.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Japan created missile intervention system. Unlike USA, there are bunch of nuclear using power plants. Also years before N. Korea began bragging about its missile business, Japan has been accumulating M3 whenever France had been ready to sell to Japan. Japan does not brag but it is technologically advanced than USA and China. Mitsubishi helped China's military advancement. Also, American military aircraft builders had to use Japanese aircraft makers Don't think Japan inch, are blind on nuclear weapon development. Japanese Sony took Hollywood. Whatever US had, Japan has. Ditto with nuclear weapons.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Ishida should shut up. He is losing a chance to replace Abe. learn from Abe. Try to act secretly. And learn how to control Trump.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This now 2017. The US should totally pull out of Japan, which, as mature countries do, should defend itself against outsiders. Japan must have nuclear weapons as part of that defence as Japan is surrounded by nuclear armed enemy countries.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Most Japanese have not even realized that Japan it is not a sovereign country, Japan still occupied by U.S.

It's time to change the constitution's Article 9 and Japan to build its own nuclear bomb, the US government is just using Japan as your cash dispenser, enough is enough!

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

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