The world is now ushering in a sheer clash on nuclear weapons. President Trump wants to rule the world with military-backed peace, while the rest of the world could rely on the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which is to be ratified by 50 countries to take effect. An ambiguous stance of the government of Japan, a country bombed by such weapons, cannot be justified.

WILL JAPAN AGAIN JOIN STUPIDLY MILITARY BUILD-UP COMPETITIONS?

The INF Treaty, or the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, terminated on August 2, 2019. It was signed by the then-President Reagan of the United States and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union on December 8, 1987.

The treaty banned ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with nuclear and conventional warheads and with ranges between 500-5,000 kilometers. It took force on June 1, 1989.

Nuclear deterrent policy reemerged

The Trump administration unilaterally announced Russia its withdrawal from the treaty in February this year, while the latter declared its suspension of fulfilling obligations. Thus, after six months, the treaty lost viability. The United States, immediately after the expiration, tested firing of the land-based intermediate cruise missiles on August 19. In addition, the nation develops nuclear capabilities along the NPR (=Nuclear Posture Review). Recently the US decided to sell 66 F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Russia declared its intention to take countermeasures, if the United States deploys missiles in the NATO and Asian allies. China, too, issued a statement that it will prepare steps to cope with such operation in no-distance, condemning harshly the sale of F16s as interference in the internal affairs of the country.

President Trump keeps the America First policy, which converted adversely a trend of disarmament stemming from the agreement between Reagan and Gorbachev, and again a nuclear deterrent policy has gained power.

The situation in the Middle East region gets more critical. President Trump announced on May 9 to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. The other five nations, namely UK, France, Germany, Russia and China, remain in the framework. The United States resumed sanctions on the middle-east nation, demanding its allies to join a coalition of willing over safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Since inauguration of the Trump administration in January, 2017, military tensions in the world have been intensified.

Meanwhile, the United Nations approved the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by the approval of 122 members on July 7, 2017. It legally bans development, possession and use of nuclear weapons. As of August 6, 2019, the treaty is signed by 70 countries and ratified by 25 countries.

Japanese government joins military build-up competitions

Under the circumstances the Japanese government employs policies to flare up nationalism and chauvinism as well as to intensify military strength. It continues building coercively a new base at Henoko, Okinawa, plans introducing Aegis Ashore land-based missile interception bases in Yamaguchi and Akita Prefectures, develops killer satellites in the outer space, purchases 18 F35B fighter jets, which are short take-off and vertical landing aircraft, and remakes two destroyers to be aircraft carriers. The Ministry of Defense has lately demanded a budget over 5.3 trillion Yen for the Fiscal 2010, which is the history biggest.

The Japanese government has been opposing the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons since the first days of establishment to today. An urgent task is to put an end to the Abe politics so as to build up a nation of peace. It is indispensable to fight together with opposition political parties and civic movements.

September 10, 2019