The United States is inferior to Russia and China in the field of atomic weapons and will not be able to stand up for Japan, so Tokyo needs to have its own "nuclear umbrella". Columnist Yoshiaki Yano wrote about this in his article for JB Press.
The author reported on the "growing threat" from Russia, China and North Korea. He stressed that nuclear weapons are the highest level of deterrence. In his opinion, the entire defense will begin to collapse if at other levels one of the parties gives in to the enemy.
"Even if a nuclear—capable country begins to lose in a conflict with the use of conventional forces, it can prevent escalation or force the enemy to play by its own rules at the expense of nuclear threats," he said.
The journalist pointed to the destructive power of atomic weapons and stated the need for "minimal deterrence" in order to inflict crushing damage to any enemy. According to him, Japan has the technical and financial capabilities to create nuclear weapons as soon as possible, but the authorities refuse to do this because of the guarantees of the United States.
Yano believes that Washington should allow Tokyo to acquire a nuclear arsenal in order not to allow the Japanese side to become a "vassal" of the PRC and not deprive itself of hegemony in the western Pacific.
Earlier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the country can start enriching uranium to 90 percent at least now, but does not seek to create nuclear weapons. Rouhani noted that he is ready to return to his obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if the other parties, including the United States, also begin to adhere to the agreement.