If Japan needed nuclear deterence, how long would it take?

Question

A source would be great.

I know it could by speculated:

How long would it take the US to train the Japanese to drive a submare. But thats not what I'm looking for.

coragryph:

I suggest that most countries wouldn't object to Japan being sold nuclear weapons, I bet they could get something sophisticated if they wanted to make a puchase.

Japan's constitution prevents them from having what would be considered and attacking force. It's military is of deterence, and is the probably the seventh most powerful in the world. They have reserved the rights for nuclear weapons, I do believe.

Answer 1

I'm Japanese by birth, serving in the American military. I have close friends in the Japanese military and have worked with them on several occasions. We've discussed many subjects. By tacit agreement, Japanese use of nuclear weapons is not something ever talked about.

Japan is the only nation to be hit by atomics – twice. There is severe horror at the notion of possessing nuclear weapons as a possible deterrent. Even now, American naval forces stationed in Japan are required to adopt a categorical “we can neither confirm nor deny we have nuclear weapons in Japanese waters” in deference to their hosts. Japan has renounced “offensive armament” - this includes aircraft carriers and a wide variety of weapon systems, to include nuclear weapons. While Japan does rank 7th in the world in terms of pure military expenditure, the restrictions on procurement hurt the Japanese severely. One of their main battle tanks (the Type 90) costs five times as much as an American M1A2, because their industrial base is rather weak when it comes to military production, and unit cost is high because only enough are bought to tool the factories up. Japan also has a severe restriction on military purchases from abroad, choosing to go all domestic – hence, the high, inefficient expenditure on rather mediocre and unproven systems.

The Japanese have the means to create and field a crude fission device in weeks, if not days. Something along the lines of an ICBM is far more difficult to advance, even if JAXA cooperated. This is all assuming that the work was done with the utmost secrecy. Were it ever to transpire that the Japanese government ever ordered the creation of a fission device, the ensuing public uproar would tear the nation apart, never mind an immediate rupture with all of Japan's neighbors.

Nuclear deterrence goes against Japan's “Peace Constitution” - it is not happening in the short term. If you want serious references or an extended discussion on this subject, send me an email.

Answer 2

Japan has possessed the technology and ability to manufacture nuclear weapons for some years. With a highly developed nuclear power industry they could begin producing weapons grade material in a short time. What prevents japan from having a nuclear arsenal is thier own reluctance to have one. They have the capability should they choose to.

Answer 3

Nearly 40% of electric power transmission in Japan is by nuclear power generation today.
Actually it is very easier to make nuke weapons than Iraq and North Korea.
But according to the constitution, Japan won't hold it soon. Need some amendment.

Japan Marine defense force (JMSDF) and US navy hold the joint exercises and practice very often. US senior military officials say JMSDF is incredible, they don't stray at all.

I guess it won't take long. but I hope Japan won't need the power as well.

Answer 4

it would take the Japan a matter of a few weeks to develop a nuclear stockpile.

they have the most advanced nuclear power industry in the world and have all the ingredients and knowledge how to do it.

all they need is to decide to do it which for political reasons they have not.

Answer 5

Japan's Consitution prohibits it from having an Army much less being a nuclear weapons base. Their (its) Army is only for internal emergencies and self-protection.
They are the last country on earth you could convince to house a nuke base. Think about it...

Answer 6

They already have the best nuclear deterence in the world, the U.S. Nuclear Arsenal.

Answer 7

To get the warheads -- about a week on the Russian black market.

To be in a position where they could announce to the world they had them, a little bit longer than that.

Answer 8

Not long but why would they? They're under the US Nuclear Umbrella.