YOU SAID:

Japan’s dependency on the U.S. nuclear umbrella and the bilateral “nuclear bond” have been strengthened through under-the-table discussions, according to a 2009 Japanese government memo recently obtained by Kyodo News and interviews with officials. The secret memo, written by strategists nine years ago, demonstrates why the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave such high marks to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Nuclear Posture Review, released in February, which emphasized Washington’s commitment to defend its allies, including Japan, in an apparent shift from Obama-era policy. The memo was presented to the U.S. Congressional Commission on U.S. Strategic Posture, which was composed of 12 nuclear experts and chaired by former Defense Secretary William Perry. A primary purpose of the bipartisan commission was to make concrete proposals to the administration of then-President Barack Obama, which was drafting its own policy review. “It is difficult for us to specify the weapon systems which the United States should maintain or acquire,” read the February 2009 memo. “But we can list, though not exhaustively, several desired characteristics which the U.S. deterrence capability should have.” The memo listed six characteristics, including flexible, credible and prompt deterrence capabilities. “(Washington’s) possible unilateral reduction of its operationally deployed strategic nuclear warheads may have an adverse effect on Japan’s security. When the United States engages in nuclear reduction talks with Russia, China’s nuclear expansion and modernization should always be borne in mind,” the memo said. In 2009, Obama declared that the U.S. would “seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” The memo was presented to the commission by Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba, then Tokyo’s political representative in Washington. During a recent interview, a Japanese official involved in drafting the memo said security policy elites like Akiba were so concerned about Obama’s “nuclear-free world” vision that they intensively lobbied influential U.S. experts to reverse course. Trump’s review was met with praise from Tokyo officials due to its renewed focus on nuclear deterrence to defend the U.S. and its allies.

INTO JAPANESE

共同通信社とのインタビューで最近発表された2009年の日本政府のメモによると、日本の米国の核傘への依存と二国間の核兵器保有は強化されている。 9年前にストラテジストが書いた秘密のメモは、

BACK INTO ENGLISH

According to the 2009 recently announced in an interview with Kyodo news service of Japan Government notes enhanced reliance on the nuclear umbrella of the United States Japan and bilateral nuclear. The secret memos written by strategists in 9 years ago

INTO JAPANESE

最近日本政府の共同通信社とのインタビューで発表した 2009 年によるとノートは、核の傘、アメリカ合衆国、日本と二国間原子力への依存度を強化しました。9 年前に戦略家によって書かれた秘密メモ

BACK INTO ENGLISH

According to the 2009 recently announced in an interview with the Kyodo news service of Japan Government notes that nuclear umbrella, United States of America and Japan and between the two countries has strengthened reliance on nuclear power. Secret notes written by strategists in 9 years ago

INTO JAPANESE

最近日本政府の共同通信社とのインタビューで発表した 2009 年によるとアメリカ合衆国と日本を核の傘と両国は原子力発電への依存度を強化します。9 年前に戦略家によって書かれた秘密のメモ

BACK INTO ENGLISH

According to the recently announced in an interview with the Kyodo news service of Japan Government 2009 United States of America and Japan and the nuclear umbrella enhances reliance on nuclear power. Secret notes written by strategists on 9 years ago