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2 clusters · 2 sources · 8 days · First seen · Last updated

China and Russia concerns over Japan nuclear potential

Overview

China and Russia have expressed significant concerns regarding Japan’s potential to develop nuclear weapons. Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, reported that Japan possessed approximately 44.4 tons of separated plutonium by the end of 2024, with an additional 191 tons contained in spent nuclear fuel. He stated that this quantity could theoretically be used to produce about 5,500 nuclear weapons.

Following these claims, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s advisor, Anton Kobyakov, suggested that Japan could potentially develop nuclear capabilities within approximately one year, citing the nation’s ongoing militarization. Chinese military leadership has characterized Japan’s plutonium reserves as having crossed a ‘red line’ that threatens the regional balance of power.

Japan maintains an official policy of non-nuclearization and remains a participant in the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Entities

TASS · Sanae Takaichi · Anton Kobyakov · Japan · China

Timeline

  1. 15 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Russia and China raise alarms over Japan's nuclear potential

    Russia and China have expressed alarm over Japan's nuclear potential, with officials claiming Japan could develop weapons within a year and possesses sufficient plutonium for thousands of warheads.

  2. 23 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    China claims Japan has plutonium enough for 5,500 nuclear weapons

    China's ambassador to Russia claims Japan holds 44.4 tons of separated plutonium, which could theoretically produce 5,500 nuclear weapons, raising regional security concerns.

Sources

cafef.vn · soha.vn