Tokyo must address nuclear material imbalance, Beijing says

[yusheng]

Tokyo must address nuclear material imbalance, Beijing says
(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2015-10-09 18:53

Tokyo must adopt an approach of "sincerity and responsibility and take practical actions" to address its excessive storage of nuclear materials and increasing imbalance between supply and demand, Beijing said, following a report released by think-tanks.

The report, which was drawn up by the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) and the China Institute of Nuclear Information and Economics, highlighted problems and risks in relation to Tokyo's large inventory.

The report said that the Japanese government has yet to answer questions on why it stores large amounts of nuclear materials and how it will solve the serious imbalance of the supply and demand situation of these materials.

Japan's large amount of sensitive nuclear materials far exceeds its actual needs and brings safety and proliferation risks, the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Hua Chunying said. These issues have already aroused concerns and questions by countries and international groups that specialize in nuclear issues, he added.

Chen Kai, secretary-general of CACDA, said Japan is the only country among non-nuclear weapon states to possess commercial-scale reprocessing and enriching capability at the same time, which means it is capable of developing nuclear weapons.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Japan currently has 47.8 tons of separated plutonium, 10.8 tons of which is in Japan, Chen said, (the rest is stored in France and the United Kingdom). The Japanese government promised in the 1990s it would have "no residual plutonium", however, after 20 years, its inventory of separated plutonium doubled, he added.

Chen suggested that the plutonium Japan stored in the UK and France could be transferred to those countries permanently in a commercial deal.

"It would undoubtedly be of great significance and set a good example," Chen added.

Regarding the plutonium stored in Japan, the report suggested that besides reserving a certain amount for future use, the rest should be entrusted to the IAEA to be actually frozen and Japan should give priority to using MOX fuel to restart its nuclear power plant in order to consume the existing plutonium inventory as soon as possible.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on October 9, 2015

Q: This morning, China Arms Control and Disarmament Association and China Institute of Nuclear Information and Economics jointly issued a study report on the issue of Japan's nuclear materials together with other academic institutions. China has been keeping an eye on the issue of Japan's nuclear materials. What is China's comment on this study report?

A: We have noted the relevant report. Japan has been storing a large amount of sensitive nuclear materials for a long time. The acute imbalance between supply and demand leads to risks of nuclear proliferation and poses threat to nuclear security. It has already raised concerns and doubts from many countries and the international academia. I believe a solution does exist for the issue of Japan's nuclear materials. The key is for Japan to show sincerity and responsibility, and take concrete actions to address the concerns of the international community.

 

[Aepsilons]

We have noted the relevant report. Japan has been storing a large amount of sensitive nuclear materials for a long time. The acute imbalance between supply and demand leads to risks of nuclear proliferation and poses threat to nuclear security. It has already raised concerns and doubts from many countries and the international academia. I believe a solution does exist for the issue of Japan's nuclear materials. The key is for Japan to show sincerity and responsibility, and take concrete actions to address the concerns of the international community.

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

Does Japan not have he technology to reprocess the fuel?

Note: I know next to nothing about nuclear power fuel cycles.

 

[Aepsilons]

Does Japan not have he technology to reprocess the fuel?

Note: I know next to nothing about nuclear power fuel cycles.

This is an area that I have limited knowledge on -- the security aspect , i suppose -- and therefore i would not be the best source to answer this question. I do have to say that Japan may have deigned to maintain a large nuclear presence since it might be used for nuclear militarization purposes, if it had to come to that. But i dont think it would.

Technically hypothetically speaking, Japna has the capability to mass produce thermonuclear warheads in less than 6 months time. We already have the means to deliver such a weapon anywhere around the world.

I suppose, it is a tacit nuclear deterrence message. The Americans , too , are concerned of our position. Given, Japan can make over 1,000 warheads in less than 1 years' time. Given our mass production capabilities. Japan could, hypothetically, glass the whole world. But we won't. We have the capability to, but we don't have the intent or will to.

 

[yusheng]

it is JP goverment's intention as you say, JP can make big B if wanted, then JP will be the first country being attacked with big B again, just wait and see.

i hope JP can deal with the material wisely.

 

[Aepsilons]

it is JP goverment's intention as you say, JP can make big B if wanted, then JP will be the first country being attacked with big B again, just wait and see.

i hope JP can deal with the material wisely.

Nuclear strikes isn't a candy that can just be thrown here and there, Yusheng. The implications are deep and far reaching, and bears with it immense overwhelming consequences. I dont think this thread is constructive for dialogue. I request we close this thread.

 

[j20blackdragon]

This is a non-issue.

Reactor-grade plutonium contains too much Pu-240 to be useful for nuclear weapons.

Pu-240 cannot be separated from Pu-239 via reprocessing.

 

[Aepsilons]

This is a non-issue.

Reactor-grade plutonium contains too much Pu-240 to be useful for nuclear weapons.

Pu-240 cannot be separated from Pu-239 via reprocessing.

So, no need to be too concerned then. Since we don't have enough for nuclear weapons. No need to worry. Focus on growth. Good for China. Cool.

 

[Place Of Space]

Some fotos from the Japan.

 

[mike2000 is back]

So, no need to be too concerned then. Since we don't have enough for nuclear weapons. No need to worry. Focus on growth. Good for China. Cool.

lol you are funny but right.

Well, this is a sensitive issue. Japan definitely has the capability to produce nuclear weapons at short notice. Only very naive people will think Japan doesn't. The U.S knows this ,so do other P5 countries, reason even the U.S has been a little worried about Japan having such large stockpiles of Weapon grade plutonium. BUut not so much since the U.S still has very close relations with Japan , and Japan must have already addressed U.S concerns, reason the U.S has been less worried about this, plus Japan possess a minimal risk to the U.S .

U.S. 'not at all concerned' by Japan’s nuclear stockpiles

Its China that should be worried(and they are, judging by Chinese authorities reactions). Japan will keep storing Plutonium, more a message to its enemies that it can develop/produce nuclear weapons at short notice if need be, its more of a matter of political will than anything. Hopefully it will never come to that and peace prevails in the region. As we can see the U.S is a guarantor of peace and stability in Asia, though some people may hate the U.S, but they don't know its the U.S that has been maintaining peace an stability in Asia enabling other countries in the region to thrive and develop. Without the U.S there will be a power vacuum in Asia, and we all know hat could go wrong in this case.

 

[Aepsilons]

lol you are funny but right.

Well, this is a sensitive issue. Japan definitely has the capability to produce nuclear weapons at short notice. Only very naive people will think Japan doesn't. The U.S knows this ,so do other P5 countries, reason even the U.S has been a little worried about Japan having such large stockpiles of Weapon grade plutonium. BUut not so much since the U.S still has very close relations with Japan , and Japan must have already addressed U.S concerns, reason the U.S has been less worried about this, plus Japan possess a minimal risk to the U.S .

U.S. 'not at all concerned' by Japan’s nuclear stockpiles

Its China that should be worried(and they are, judging by Chinese authorities reactions). Japan will keep storing Plutonium, more a message to its enemies that it can develop/produce nuclear weapons at short notice if need be, its more of a matter of political will than anything. Hopefully it will never come to that and peace prevails in the region. As we can see the U.S is a guarantor of peace and stability in Asia, though some people may hate the U.S, but they don't know its the U.S that has been maintaining peace an stability in Asia enabling other countries in the region to thrive and develop. Without the U.S there will be a power vacuum in Asia, and we all know hat could go wrong in this case.

No no! Not China! Only the Martians or aliens from outer space !

 

[Sanchez]

If Japan develops nuclear weapons (publicly or undercover) I am sure that nuclear fall will eventually become Japan's destiny as @XiaoYaoZi said about Japan. Japanese are good at sneak attacks like what's happened in Pearl Harbor, China and Russia. If Japan tries a sneak raid again these countries or we will not give Japan a third chance.

 

[Aepsilons]

Nope like I said, we have the reactants, we can make the product, there's no debate about that. But do we really want to do it ? Capability and desire are totally different dimensional paradigms.

So I don't know why my Chinese brothers are so concerned. We just want to trade with you, live in peace and share the same prosperous future with our neighbors and partners.

Nothing more nothing less.

Peace. Cool ya?

China has pledged not to initiate nuclear strike to non nuclear countries, Good for Japan which will forever be the non nuclear country, through has been nuked by another nuclear power.


For a little tiny island country, if it dares to nuke a country with the huge territory like China or US, the density of impact points of the nuclear counterattack it receive will be far larger than it send, the consequence world be that all its islands get nuke to sink, although the other one may get some little trauma.
Japan should care about North Korea more, it has possessed this capability that Japan has no, and it is closer to Japan.

Just like Japan was nuked by itself.


Compare mass production capabilities with China
The number of the population for industry in Japan has shrunk to less than 10 million now, and still is shrinking.
More scientifically, before Japan would attain this capability it would have been struggling to solve its serious food crisis problem.

Hmmm, why you just came back from your ban and you're already inciting ? Can't you just be cool and talk normally? You seem like you're too excited, too excited .

 

[mike2000 is back]

For a little tiny island country, if it dares to nuke a country with the huge territory like China or US, the density of impact points of the nuclear counterattack it receive will be far larger than it send, the consequence world be that all its islands get nuke to sink, although the other one may get some little trauma.
Japan should care about North Korea more, it has possessed this capability that Japan has no, and it is closer to Japan.

Just like Japan was nuked by itself.
.

Well, why will Japan nuke China, makes no sense at all, The Japanese public is even against their country being a normal country(i.e having the right to having offensive weapons like all countries with capabilities do, or arming themselves/coming to aid of allies if attacked etc), so nuking another country is the last thing Japan of all countries will ever do. I'm sure you know that yourself, you are just saying such a thing because you hate Japan with passion.same like what some Vietnamese(due to their hate of China) on here use to say silly imaginary stuffs about China which everybody knows will never happen. At least i thought you were one of the few members here who was more rational and less emotional bro.

Anyway, Japan wont nuke China even if they decided to produce a nuclear bomb, everybody knows that, so that point is mute. Secondly, how are you comparing a highly developed advanced industrial power like Japan to a third world backward shit hole like North Korea? The two are like day and night. lol If a backward third world like country like North Korea can build nuclear weapons, you can imagine what Japan is capable of. Even India and Pakistan have nukes, so you think they are more capable than Japan? lol Plus you know that Japan is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to nuclear civilian technology/industry. Many countries in the world depends on them for equipment/components for their nuclear material/industry including several major European countries.
For example the largest and best-known supplier of heavy forgings in the world is Japan Steel Works . It has the distinction of having supplied the pressure vessels for the first two Areva EPR plants in Finland and France. It even has a contract with your country's company Dongfang Electric Corporation to supply forged components, including for reactor pressure vessels.

You will be surprised to know that the world's nuclear industry is inter-connected and inter-dependent on Japan-manufactured engineering products. Japan has done an enormous amount of research and development in the field of nuclear technology. Its a huge joke comparing them with North Korea, in fact in nuclear technology field i will say its the most advanced country in Asia by a margin.

The only reason Japan decides not to build nukes FOR NOW, is due to historical reasons and the fact that their public is deeply anti nuclear(even for civilian purposes like building of nuclear reactors.). Plus developing nukes in today's modern world is a very sensitive issue for any country. So make no mistake they have had the capabilities longggg ago, its just politics that complicates matters. So i think Japanese politicians have to the conclusion that its easier to find a middle path and adopt a policy of letting its enemies know it has large stockpiles of nuclear grade materials to build nukes at quick notice if ever there was to be need for one, but they won't build it obviously, except something catastrophic like a full scale war where Japan itself is threatened with annihilation/blackmail then yes MAYBE.

So to be honest, i think they will keep storing their huge plutonium stockpiles for just this reason i.e as A MESSAGE.

 

[Beidou2020]

Now that China can export its own nuclear technology, China should export its nuclear tech to many countries.

China should also expand its own nuclear arsenal and abolish the no-first-use nuclear policy.