Saturday, June 23, 2012

Editorial: National security clause must be deleted from law on atomic energy


The Mainichi: Editorial: National security clause must be deleted from law on atomic energy
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20120623p2a00m0na009000c.html

[excerpted] An addition to the Atomic Energy Basic Law stating that Japan's nuclear energy should contribute to national security has stirred controversy.

The amendment has fueled speculations about its true aim. Some wonder whether the interpretation of the clause could be stretched to open the way for nuclear weapons development. Others question whether the clause is aimed at underscoring the effectiveness of the development and use of atomic power for nuclear power plants and other purposes....

....The Atomic Energy Basic Law was amended by incorporating the clause into the appendix in the law on the establishment of a nuclear regulatory panel, which was passed into law on June 20.

...The clause was not in the original government-sponsored bill. However, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito subsequently agreed to modify the bill and enact it as lawmaker-initiated legislation. At the time, the clause in question was incorporated into the appendix at the request of the LDP.

Some LDP legislators insist that Japan should maintain its high-level nuclear technology and demonstrate to the world its capability to develop nuclear weapons as a potential deterrent, linking atomic energy to national security...

Majia Here: Interesting editorial.

Why now is Japan changing the Atomic Energy Basic Law?

Background
http://majiasblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/why-does-japans-plutonium-stockpiling.html

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