Saturday, May 05, 2012

Just a Decision Away No More?

Strategypage always notes that the Japanese are just a decision away from going nuclear in a short time should they lose their faith in America's extended nuclear umbrella.

But how long will the knowledge base in Japan last given this post-Fukushima earthquake decision?

Japanese utility Hokkaido Electric Power Co began shutting the country's last active nuclear reactor on Saturday, leaving the world's third-biggest user of atomic energy with no nuclear-derived electricity for the first time since 1970.

Remember that a civilian nuclear program is a great cover for getting the expertise needed to become a nuclear weapons program. If Japan has no nuclear reactors, where will the scientists and technicians with knowledge of nuclear energy come from?

I assume the Chinese are rejoicing. And Russia isn't likely to feel more pressure to return the Kurile Islands seized from Japan at the end of World War II.