Japan as a ‘Nuclear-Threatened State’: Facing the Nuclear Threat of North Korea

Abstract

Japan is the only country that has suffered from nuclear attacks in war, but, unfortunately, the country has been faced with nuclear threats of North Korea. This chapter examines the nuclear crises in the Korean Peninsula and its implications for Japan’s identity as a ‘nuclear-threatened state’. It contextualizes North Korea’s nuclear and missile development program, the nuclear crises in the Korean Peninsula, and negotiations for the denuclearization of North Korea. By contextualizing the North Korean nuclear and missile program, and negotiations for the denuclearization, this chapter attempts to clarify a pattern of ‘promise and betrayal’ by the North Korean government. Through the examination of the pattern of promise and betrayal, it analyzes how nuclear threats of North Korea have expanded and points out the difficulties of dismantling the nuclear weapons of North Korea. However, this chapter also explores prospects and conditions for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, including the possibility of establishing a ‘Nuclear Weapons Free Zone’ in Northeast Asia. This chapter finally sheds light on the implication of the nuclear threats of North Korea for the peace and security of Japan as a ‘nuclear-threatened state’.