Japan refuses to sign international document describing nuclear weapons as inhumane

[homasse]

Japan refuses to sign international document describing nuclear weapons as inhumane

Despite being the only nation to have suffered atomic bombing, Japan has again refused to sign a document that describes nuclear weapons as inhumane.The document is a joint statement that was presented April 24 at the second session of the Preparatory Committee for

Comments

[underlankers]

Nope, you didn't misread it. I'd imagine that North Korea's nuclear brinksmanship plays some role in that, as the only other possible reading would be that Japan would intend both re-armament and developing a nuclear arsenal in its own right. Japan hasn't paid for a full-scale military since 1945, and so long as we do it for them, I don't see them rescinding that provision of their constitution.

[underlankers]

Well, Greece is letting Germany bail it out of its financial troubles after what Germany did there in 1941-5, so it's not the first time. At least Haiti had the sense to ask the USA *not* to send troops back there after the earthquake for a good, rational feat that if the US Army returned it might stay for another 30 years. The former Axis powers in any event have decided to let their former enemies pay for the big armies that defend them and spend money instead on civilian stuff. It works, so long as they have someone else to pay all the money that goes into military spending.

[nitasee]

Well, it's not like the US is going to sign that treaty either. We've got the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world. And you know that we've got politicians who's attitude is "no one is going tell us we can't us them".

*sigh* Just sigh.

[underlankers]

While ironic on the one hand, on another Japan *is* one of the few countries North Korea *could* hit with a nuclear missile *if* they actually have one, so I could see why the nuclear umbrella would matter more there than in Europe. That doesn't really alter the problems of not ratifying a treat like this or the refusal of other states to do so, however. BTW, hats off to the mods or LJ or whatever fixed that LJ style issue.

[yesthatnagia]

On the one hand I want to ask WTF they're thinking, but they aren't allowed an army or navy. They have to rely on the US; it's in their constitution. And considering that Japan has pissed off damn near every state in East Asia (...and South East Asia, and I wouldn't blame Russia for still being pissed) at least once in living memory, they have no present reason to want to tie the US's hands re: weapons.

[mutive]

That was pretty much my thought.

[tabaqui]

I find it rather horrifying in this day and age that we still control Japan to the extent that they are 'not allowed' a standing Army/Navy/etc. That's just...creepy.

This whole deal is creepy but hey - the US hasn't signed this either, have we. Fucking BAH.