Japan may add nuclear submarine research to security documents, media say
In short
Japanese media reported on Oct. 7, citing sources, that Japan's government is considering writing “starting research on introducing nuclear-powered submarines” into its revised three security documents. The wording would likely not presume possession but serve as a starting point for future research and discussion, the reports said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru and Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro have said discussion of possessing nuclear-powered submarines should not be excluded, drawing domestic and international opposition and criticism.
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Japanese media reported on Oct. 7, citing sources, that the Japanese government is considering writing “starting research on introducing nuclear-powered submarines” into its revised three security documents, according to reports carried by CLS, Yicai and Jiemian. The reports said the wording would probably not be premised on “possession” but would instead be written as a starting point for future research and discussion. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the same reports, including such wording in the documents would create conditions for the government to begin related research and study. A senior figure in the ruling party said that if the documents said “repeated study and discussion”, simulation of operation and cost calculation could be made public. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The reports place the proposal against the background of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's tenure: since taking office she has promoted revision of the three security documents and sought to modify the three non-nuclear principles. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru and Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro have both said discussion of possessing nuclear-powered submarines should not be excluded, remarks the reports say have drawn opposition and criticism at home and abroad. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The three Chinese outlets attribute the account to Japanese media citing sources; Yicai and Jiemian also credit CCTV International. The documents do not name the Japanese outlet, identify the sources, or give any date for revising the security documents or starting a study. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The three security documents set Japan's defence direction, so any wording that opens the door to studying nuclear-powered submarines would signal a shift in a sensitive area for the region. The documents also record that similar statements by senior officials have already drawn opposition and criticism at home and abroad. No decision or timetable is reported, so the reported step is still a proposal under consideration.
Key facts
- Japanese media reported on Oct. 7, citing sources, that the Japanese government is considering writing “starting research on introducing nuclear-powered submarines” into the revised three security documents. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The wording may not be premised on “possession” but rather framed as a starting point for future research and discussion, the reports said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Writing such wording into the documents would create conditions for the government to begin related research, according to the reports. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A senior ruling party figure said that if the documents said “repeated study and discussion”, simulation of operation and cost calculation could be made public. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has promoted revision of the three security documents and sought to modify the three non-nuclear principles since taking office, the reports said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru and Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro have both said discussion of possessing nuclear-powered submarines should not be excluded, drawing domestic and international opposition and criticism. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The reports do not identify the Japanese outlet or the individuals cited as sources at the Japanese media organisation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Japanese media reported on Oct. 7, citing sources, that the government is considering writing “starting research on introducing nuclear-powered submarines” into the revised three security documents. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The wording may not be premised on “possession” but rather described as a starting point for future research and discussion. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru and Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro have said discussion of possessing nuclear-powered submarines should not be excluded, which the reports say drew domestic and international opposition and criticism. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has pushed to revise the three security documents and to modify the three non-nuclear principles. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the wording on nuclear-powered submarine research will actually be included in the revised documents, and in what exact form. All three documents say only that the government is “considering” the wording and that it “may” be framed as a research entry point; no decision is reported.
- Which Japanese media organisation reported the story and who its sources were. The Chinese outlets attribute the report to “Japanese media” citing sources, but do not name the outlet or the sources.
- When the three security documents will be revised or when any study would begin. No date or timetable appears in the documents.