Japan’s defense minister is considering the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines

Japan is considering acquiring nuclear-powered submarines as it reviews its National Security Strategy and two other key defense documents. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Friday in Tokyo that the government was not ruling out any option for strengthening its deterrence and response capabilities, and would make a decision based on an independent assessment.

The review process is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The current documents, adopted in 2022 for a ten-year period, are being revised ahead of schedule because of rapid changes in the security environment and the threats posed by China and North Korea.

Japan’s Innovation Party, part of the governing coalition, called as early as June for nuclear-powered submarines to be included in the update proposals. A U.S. Navy official welcomed the initiative and argued that Japan already uses nuclear technologies in the civilian sector. South Korea, in turn, announced in May its intention to acquire such a submarine. Nuclear-powered submarines can travel faster and over greater distances than conventional ones, but their necessity depends on each state’s strategic objectives.