It is a treaty that literally bans nuclear weapons. * Excluding nuclear power plants.
This treaty is the first international treaty to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons for the total abolition of nuclear weapons in the future.
In the preamble, the principles of international humanitarian law and international human rights law were reaffirmed regarding the abolition of nuclear weapons, along with concerns about the suffering of A-bomb survivors. (It is not legally binding on non-contracting countries.)
The Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2017 with a majority of supporters, and came into effect on January 22, 2021 after reaching the ratification of the 50 countries required for its entry into force in October 2020. (The nuclear powers of the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France (India, Israel, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar?) Are not members.)
Thoughts of the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
"Japan is the only war-bombed country, and the government shares the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, while North Korea's nuclear and missile development is about peace and stability in Japan and the international community. It is an unprecedented, serious and imminent threat. It is difficult to deter an opponent who hints at the use of nuclear weapons, such as North Korea, with conventional weapons alone, so we have nuclear weapons under the Japan-US alliance. It is necessary to maintain the deterrence of the United States.
It is important to consider these two perspectives of humanity and security when tackling nuclear disarmament, but the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons does not take into account the perspective of security. Participation in a treaty that immediately outlaws nuclear weapons could undermine the legitimacy of the United States' nuclear deterrence and allow it to endanger the lives and property of its people, Japan's security. Causes problems for the United States. In addition, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has not received support not only from nuclear-weapon states that actually possess nuclear weapons, but also from non-nuclear-weapon states that are exposed to (exposed) nuclear threats like Japan, and will work on nuclear disarmament. There is also concern that it is causing division in the international community. "
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I confirmed the government's view again, but it is very realistic. In the past, the content is so realistic that it cannot be thought of as a government agency that joined the Treaty on the Prohibition of Antipersonnel Landmines in 1998 and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Cluster Bunition in 2008 and drastically reduced the force of the Self-Defense Forces.
Thoughts of each political party
The following is an article (excerpt) from the Sankei Shimbun on October 25, 2020.
The secretaries of the ruling and opposition parties said in an NHK program on the 25th that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which completely bans the possession and use of nuclear weapons, is expected to come into effect in January 2021.
Liberal Democratic Party (Deputy Secretary General Masahiko Shibayama)
"Although we share the idea, we have withheld ratification because it is not realistic in terms of ensuring effectiveness and schedule."
Constitutional Democratic Party (Secretary General Tetsuro Fukuyama)
"Given the situation in North Korea, it is very difficult to find a balance with a nuclear umbrella."
Komeito (Secretary-general Keiichi Ishii)
"I want the Japanese government to be actively involved."
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Secretary General Nobuyuki Baba)
"I want you to attend the Conference of the Parties and play your part."
Communist Party (Akira Koike, Secretary General)
"I would like to request that the treaty be signed and ratified as soon as possible as the only country exposed to the war."
→ Support for membership
Democratic Party for the People (Deputy Secretary General Shuhei Kishimoto)
"You should participate in the treaty" → Support for membership
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After confirming the comments on the above program and the party's statement, it is insisted that only the "Communist Party" and "Democratic Party for the People" should join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In addition, the Government of Japan and other parties are encouraging observers to attend the conference.
If I comment from a military point of view, it is almost the same as the view of the Japanese government.
Japanese people often touch on the misery of radiation exposure by reading "Barefoot Gen" (maybe not at present) or by looking at the records of the "Tokai Nuclear Accident". In addition, there is an opportunity to hear the stories of the victims of the atomic bomb directly or through the media, and it is presumed that they have a greater dislike and interest in nuclear weapons than people in other countries.
In addition, it is understandable that we are in a position to lead the ban on nuclear weapons from the historical background of being the only country that has been bombed.
This is a story of national sentiment and an international position.
On the other hand, Japan is surrounded by China, Russia, North Korea and hostile nations possessing nuclear weapons, and is constantly aiming at a large number of nuclear missiles. In particular, North Korea has been conducting missile tests toward Japan for more than a dozen years. Also, in August 2021, there was a debate in China about a nuclear attack on Japan. Japan, the only country to be bombed, is one of the countries most likely to be attacked by nuclear weapons in the world.
To counter this, Japan has attempted to expand its deterrence with nuclear weapons by joining the US nuclear umbrella. (Nuclear expansion deterrence: If another country attacks Japan, deter it by promising that the United States will retaliate instead by a nuclear attack)
Supporting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons also denies even a "nuclear umbrella," and Japan will have to abandon nuclear expansion deterrence (if it is to ensure consistency). If that happens, Japan will be more likely to be hit by a nuclear attack in the future. Joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons weakens the Japan-US alliance and reduces deterrence.
In the first place, there is no possibility that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will lead to the abolition of nuclear weapons in the world.
Even if all non-nuclear-weapon states join, it is unlikely that the current nuclear-weapon states will abandon their nuclear weapons. (Just as your country declares abandonment of war does not prevent aggression)
Many Japanese should have seen North Korea, which turns the world into an enemy and promotes nuclear tests even if its own country becomes tattered due to sanctions.
With nuclear weapons, it is possible to threaten other countries like the United States, China and Russia, and to deter other countries' invasion of their own country.
So far, no weapon is as military strategically useful as a nuclear weapon. There is no way to let go of such a useful weapon.
Joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which does not lead to the abolition of nuclear weapons, leads to a decrease in deterrence.
I want politicians to pursue national interests rather than immediate money and fame.
Reference below
Komeito homepage
However, as the treaty becomes a formal international law, nuclear weapons are recognized as illegal to be banned, changing the view of nuclear weapons. For example, some banks and companies have already stopped investing in nuclear weapons when the treaty is certain to come into effect. In this way, even if they do not participate in the treaty, nuclear-weapon states and dependent countries will be restricted from their activities related to nuclear weapons. This trend will stop the spread of nuclear weapons and ultimately lead to the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Communist Party (Kazuo Shii's homepage)
1. Under the joint hostility and obstruction of the treaty by the five major nuclear powers (P5, the United States, Russia, Britain, France, and China) led by the United States, many countries, including developing countries, have repelled the pressure and ratified the treaty. It is of great significance to reach and expand support. This symbolizes the structural changes in the world in which today's world is not dominated by a small number of major powers, but all nations, large and small, are the protagonists of international politics. There is.
At the UN General Assembly in December last year, 130 countries agreed with the resolution calling for participation in the treaty, more than two-thirds of the UN member states. A conference of parties to the treaty will be held later this year, with the participation of civil society to initiate the process of promoting the treaty. With this treaty, which shows the path to the abolition of nuclear weapons, the Japanese Communist Party will continue to strengthen cooperation with all countries, groups, and people who support the treaty, transcending differences in ideas and beliefs, and realize a "world without nuclear weapons." I will do everything I can to do it.
Democratic Party for the People (Homepage)
Aiming to ratify and sign the treaty, as an observer at the Conference of the Parties held within one year after its entry into force, the government aims to literally act as an effective bridge between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states. It is required to work on the abolition.
Constitutional Democratic Party (Homepage)
The Constitutional Democratic Party adheres to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, walks with people around the world seeking the abolition of nuclear weapons so that the efforts of its predecessors will not recede, and effectively reduces nuclear disarmament and abolishes nuclear weapons by maintaining and strengthening the NPT system. We will do our best to realize this.
