nuclear-news

“The Japanese government could be more supportive of reductions (of nuclear arms) than it is,” said Joseph Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund, a U.S. group aiming to create a nuclear-free world.

Cirincione, also a member of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s International Security Advisory Board, said U.S. government officials often stress that President Barack Obama needs support from U.S. allies in pushing his agenda of nuclear disarmament.

“If there was any ally who could play that role, it would be Japan,” Cirincione said. “And it would be in 2015,” he added, referring to a review conference on the Nonproliferation Treaty to be held in April and May, as well as the 70th anniversaries of the nuclear bombings……

Daryl Kimball, executive director at the Arms Control Association, a U.S. think tank, said that Japan and other U.S. allies “should be more vocal” about encouraging the U.S. and Russia to promote nuclear disarmament.

Kimball proposed a nuclear disarmament summit and said, “The year 2015 could be a very good year to start such a nuclear disarmament process,” citing the anniversaries of the atomic bombings. “Japan would be a very logical host country.” http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/01/04/national/politics-diplomacy/experts-urge-japan-play-greater-role-nuclear-disarmament-process/#.VKrhOdLF8nk