What the “Ukraine was invaded by Russia because it gave up its nuclear weapons” argument misses [in Japanese]

AbstractIn response to the discourse that Ukraine would not have been invaded by Russia if it had not given up its nuclear weapons, the article clarifies why denuclearization of Ukraine was almost the only option by analyzing the history of its process.

Entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: “Take into Consideration the Reality of the Security Environment,” Nobumasa Akiyama, Professor, Hitotsubashi University [In Japanese]

AbstractRather than arguing that Japan should get out of the U.S. nuclear umbrella in order to join the Nuclear Weapons Convention, the article suggests to think how to improve the security environment in which the nuclear umbrella is necessary.

Nuclear disarmament efforts　Joint Statement of the Five Powers Deflecting Discontent of Non-nuclear-Weapon States　Nobumasa Akiyama, Professor, The Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University [in Japanese]

AbstractThe background of the joint statement is believed to be a sense of crisis over the further decline in international confidence in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime, which limits the possession of nuclear weapons to the five nuclear powers.

No first use” in the context of the U.S.-Japan Alliance

AbstractThe article addresses the No First Use (NFU) of nuclear weapons policy, and the imminent need to establish deterrence mechanisms that promote stability in the region, considering Japan’s perspective as a US ally. All of this in the context of escalating tensions with China and the continuous threat of North Korea.

AUKUS as a catalyst for more strategy for Japan

AbstractThe article addresses the Australia - United Kingdom - United States (AUKUS) relationship regarding nuclear armament and Japan’s position on the upcoming review of the National Security Strategy.

FOCUS: Experts caution against A-bomb survivors’ hopes for nuke-free world

AbstractProfessor Nobumasa Akiyama is interviewed in this article to provide his opinion over the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the possibility of nuclear disarmament.

Fukushima: Depoliticizing the Release of Treated Water into the Ocean

AbstractThe article addresses Japan’s policy towards the discharge of treated waters related to the Fukushima nuclear incident of 2011 and the reactions this announcement received from different parties.

Arms Control Dialogue is Japan’s Interest: An Agenda for a New Nuclear Posture Review

AbstractThe author argues that it is unlikely that a No First Use (NFU) declaration policy from the US will lead to disarmament in Northeast Asia. He rather proposes that “Force asymmetries, (…) and the pursuit of a deterrent architecture based on entanglement between nuclear, conventional, cyber, and space domains, as well as the rise of emerging technologies that influence the modality of strategic stability, will have a significant impact on deterrence and arms control.”