Japan's Nuclear Future: Policy Debate, Prospects, and U.S. Interests

Chanlett-Avery, Emma ; Nikitin, Mary Beth

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.

关键词: Foreign relations -- Japan -- U.S.;    Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Japan;    Nuclear weapons;    Nuclear nonproliferation;    Foreign policy;   

RP-ID  :  RL34487
RP-ID  :  RL34487_2009Feb19

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

This report examines the prospects for Japan pursuing a nuclear weapons capability by assessing the existing technical infrastructure of its extensive civilian nuclear energy program. It explores the range of challenges that Japan would have to overcome to transform its current program into a military program, including legal and political restraints: averse public and elite opinion, restrictive domestic laws and practices, and the negative diplomatic consequences.