Japanese civic groups oppose push for nuclear-powered submarines

Several Japanese civic organisations released a joint statement on July 14 expressing opposition to Japan’s potential acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, following government efforts aimed at advancing the development of such vessels.

The statement emphasised that Japan has consistently supported the abolition of nuclear weapons and that the country’s Atomic Energy Basic Act restricts the use of nuclear energy to peaceful purposes only, Xinhua reports.

According to the statement, the possession of nuclear-powered submarines would effectively mean abandoning Japan’s long-established stance on the issue.

Peace Boat, one of the signatories, stated on its website that proposals advocating Japan’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, advanced by members of the ruling coalition and government advisory panels, represent a highly dangerous trend.

The organisation noted that nuclear-powered submarines are intended for long-range underwater operations and attack missions, arguing that their introduction would mark a significant departure from Japan’s “exclusively defense-oriented policy.”

Peace Boat said that more than a dozen organisations had endorsed the joint statement.

In a report submitted in September last year, an expert panel operating under Japan’s Defence Ministry indirectly recommended examining the possibility of adopting nuclear propulsion for the country’s next-generation submarines.

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also told the Diet, Japan’s parliament, that the matter should not be regarded as taboo and deserved public discussion.

In June, the Japan Innovation Party, the junior partner in the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party, similarly called for the swift introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. Those developments have prompted strong opposition from various segments of Japanese society.

By Jeyhun Aghazada