The super weapon, the paper tiger and Godzilla: a trilateral dialogue on nuclear weapons
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The super weapon, the paper tiger and Godzilla: a trilateral dialogue on nuclear weapons Gregory Kulacki1 Received: 18 September 2020 / Accepted: 31 October 2020 © The Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS), Peking University 2020
Abstract The United States, China, and Japan responded to the Cold War with three distinct orientations towards nuclear weapons. The US decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the product of a mentality that did not distinguish between nuclear weapons and conventional weapons. A non-nuclear China refused to capitulate in the face of repeated US nuclear threats, but these were terrifying experiences that prompted China to develop its own nuclear weapons. Japan responded to being the only nation attacked with nuclear weapons by positioning itself as a leading advocate for nuclear disarmament while simultaneously and surreptitiously collaborating with its attacker to prevent Japan from being struck again. The pattern of interaction that developed between these three nations inhibits progress towards nuclear arms control and disarmament. Changing that pattern by facilitating a more equitable trilateral dialogue on nuclear weapons may remove this inhibition. Keywords Nuclear weapons · Extended deterrence · China · Japan · United States · Nuclear disarmament · Nuclear arms control
1 Introduction The United States, China and Japan need a more equitable way to discuss nuclear weapons issues. The old Cold War began in East Asia and the unresolved problems of that war appear to be fermenting a second one. The division of Korea and rise of China continue to generate tensions that inform military planning and could precipitate a conflict. Current behavior, which is primarily determined by the United States and China, leaves open the possibility that nuclear weapons may be used in such a conflict. A more active and independent Japanese voice on nuclear weapons issues could alter the current behavior of the United States and China. A more equitable dialogue between the United States, China and Japan could help prevent both * Gregory Kulacki [email protected] 1
Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, MA, USA
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China International Strategy Review
nuclear weapons states from starting or escalating a nuclear war, and help forestall a new nuclear arms buildup in the region. These three nations responded to the Cold War with three distinct orientations towards nuclear weapons. The US decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the product of a mentality that does not distinguish between nuclear weapons and conventional weapons. Such a mentality recognizes a quantitative difference but not a qualitative one. Today, the United States still prepares to use nuclear weapons to fight and win wars, just like any other weapon, except that their destructive power make them a kind of super weapon used with an added degree of discretion. The United States asserts the right to use nuclear weapons first and believes it can control the escalation of any nuclear wa
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