Comments

You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name

Your e-mail (optional)

Website (optional)

	My Original Nic Pic-a-Nic Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Foto

Submit your comments on this article

China-Japan-Koreas

Japan Weighs Nuclear Development

2006-12-25

Merry Christmas, China.

TOKYO (AP) - The Japanese government recently looked into the possibility of developing a nuclear warhead, a news report said Monday, citing an internal government document. However the government's top spokesman Yasuhisa Shiozaki denied such a document existed.

"No, no, certainly not!"

The Japanese daily Sankei reported that experts at several government organizations concluded it would take at least three to five years to make a prototype weapon.

That's just smoke. The Japanese have the knowledge and the plutonium, and I bet they also have a blueprint.

The experts also estimated that the project would cost about $1.68 billion to $2.52 billion and require the efforts of several hundred engineers, according to Sankei.

Money and engineers are things Japan has in plenty.

The experts did not say whether Japan should develop nuclear arms, the newspaper reported, only what such a project would require. The newspaper published a summary of the document, dated Sept 20 and titled ``On the Possibility of Developing Nuclear Weapons Domestically.''

Posted by:Steve White

#7 I'd bet cash money that Japan has everything already made and on the shelf, just lacking the plutonium or uranium, or whatever else they may choose to use. Milling plutonium for nuclear weapons is an exacting process, and takes time. I don't think it would take more than six weeks, though, for the first mate-able warhead to be rolled off the assembly line. After that, it's possible that first one could be joined by others in days, rather than weeks. Japan is also the only "non-nuclear" nation that I'd assess has the capability to produce thermonuclear (hydrogen) devices. It probably wouldn't take a whole lot longer than fission weapons, either.

Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-12-25 21:51

#6 Normally, I'd oppose further nuclear proliferation. With the flaccid global response given to Iran's blatant atomic weapons program, that position is now reversed. For their complicity in the continuing atrocity known as North Korea, China richly deserves a host of nuclear armed countries on its doorstep.

Posted by: Zenster 2006-12-25 21:35

#5 It is the waffling that is key. When even our most supposedly hawkish leaders cannot be counted on to defend American and British lives - let alone interests - there is no reason to believe we would risk our cities for Japan. Or, for that matter, those of, say, Taiwan. I expect Taiwan and Singapore could produce a nuclear umbrella in short order should things carry on the way they have been doing.

Posted by: Excalibur 2006-12-25 16:44

#4 .mac, if that's the case, Japan has already gone nuclear, and just hasn't admitted it.

Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2006-12-25 16:25

#3 They probably will because a)that damned idiot Kimmie won't stop screwing around with nukes, b) the Chinese seem to think threatening their neighbors is legitimate diplomacy, and c)anyone depending on us for protection after looking at how we're treating Israel can't be feeling too safe. If I'm Japan, I go nuke immediately upon the first signs of waffling from the U.S.

Posted by: mac 2006-12-25 09:27

#2 Everything that I have read on the subject says that Japan can have a functional testing nuke in 6 weeks; and can start serial production of warheads within 6 months. Also, they have all sorts of plutonium and miniaturization is a Japanese specialty, so small high-yield warheads that will easily fit on cruise missiles will be in the first batch. If they choose to go nuke, that is.

Posted by: Shieldwolf 2006-12-25 08:43

#1 Go for it, guys. I want to see a nice 1.0 kilogram, .01Kt device next Christmas.

Posted by: Whiskey Mike 2006-12-25 08:33

00:00