nuclear-news

Japan’s submarine debate signals break from nuclear taboos

Japan weighing nuke subs to deter China’s rising threat, but it’s not clear Tokyo has the capital, crew or capacity to keep a nuclear fleet afloat

Asia Times, by Gabriel Honrada, September 14, 2026

Japan is edging closer to a once-unthinkable choice: whether nuclear propulsion should underpin its next generation of undersea deterrence.

This month, the Japan Times reported that Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed that Japan is keeping the option of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines on the table, following encouraging signals from a US Navy official.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Koizumi stated that Japan will not rule out the capability as it prepares revisions to three key national security documents by year-end.

The remarks came after an unnamed US Navy official, later corroborated by the US Pacific Fleet, suggested discussions should proceed given Japan’s advanced nuclear expertise, noting that asset procurement must align with national operational needs.

The submarine debate also follows Koizumi’s July 2026 call for Japan to discuss nuclear deterrence without taboos, saying the country could no longer avoid confronting nuclear weapons policy amid its worsening security environment…………………………… https://asiatimes.com/2026/09/japans-submarine-debate-signals-break-from-nuclear-taboos/

September 17, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, weapons and war