Let Japan develop nuclear weapons to lessen North Korea threat, former US Navy commander says

The US should agree on an expansion of nuclear weapons capabilities in the Pacific to Japan to curtail the threat posed by North Korea’s newly developed nuclear weapons capability, as such a scenario would prompt China to restrain its neighbour and traditional ally, said a former commander of the US Navy in the Pacific.

Recognising that Pyongyang will not give up its nuclear capability, the suggestion of a nuclear-armed Japan as a balancing force might also force China to back away from its demand that the US and Seoul dismantle a missile defence shield deployed by the US Navy in South Korea, retired vice admiral John M. Bird said in a presentation titled “North Korean Lessons for Japan”.

“Many thoughtful people have said we should introduce tactical nukes into the Western Pacific, making signals that Japan no longer considers the US nuclear umbrella adequate and is going their own way,” said Bird, who added that pre-emptive strikes on North Korea might be warranted under some conditions.

“Those sorts of things will pique China’s interest. Being that they’re upset about a THAAD, they’d be very upset and not like that option,” Bird added, referring to the acronym for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile system. “And if they thought it was realistic, they – the PRC – might be willing to really weigh in with the North Koreans. That is only kind of diplomacy that’s going to make a difference.”