The 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference started April 27 and runs through May 22. The last review conference in 2010 reached an agreement on a final document that included 64 action plans. Action 1 was: "All States parties commit to pursue policies that are fully compatible with the Treaty and the objective of achieving a world without nuclear weapons." This means that not only nuclear weapon states but also non-nuclear weapon states such as Japan should pursue such security policies that do not depend on nuclear weapons.
Japan, as the only victim of nuclear bombings in wartime, has been a constant advocate for nuclear disarmament but at the same time has been dependent on the U.S. "nuclear umbrella," i.e. "extended nuclear deterrence." This forms the so-called nuclear dilemma for Japan. We believe it is time for Japan to solve this dilemma and fulfill the promise made at the 2010 review conference.
Has Japan taken such an initiative?
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