Policy Recommendations "Toward Improving the Effectiveness of Extended Deterrence in the Japan-U.S. Alliance"
To make the "nuclear umbrella" be real
National Security and Japan-U.S. Program
Reports and Publications
News
June 2, 2025
On Monday, June 2, 2025, SPF's National Security and Japan-U.S. Program released 15 policy recommendations titled "Toward Improving the Effectiveness of Extended Deterrence in the Japan-U.S. Alliance" and hosted a public webinar to share the contents and discussions of those recommendations. The propose of these policy recommendations is to promote in-depth discussions on the operational issues of extended deterrence, including nuclear weapons as a part, through the Japan-U.S. alliance, which have been not so easy to discuss in depth in Japan.
The background of the recommendations is the recognition that the security environment surrounding Japan is "the most severe in the postwar period," including the growing nuclear threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. In particular, in considering the "Taiwan contingency," we must assume a severe phase that possibly includes the threat of nuclear intimidation by China. On the other hand, even as the Japan-U.S. alliance deepens, it can be said that the creation of operational mechanisms such as coordination and decision-making concerning nuclear weapons for extended deterrence is a major challenge.
Based on our analysis of these current conditions and challenges, we have compiled 15 recommendations for (1) strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, (2) strengthening the posture of the Self-Defense Forces, (3) domestic preparedness and review in Japan, and (4) international risk reduction efforts.
**The views expressed in this seminar are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the organizations with which they are affiliated or the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
For the text of the final report, please click here.
※You can read Japanese version here.
The background of the recommendations is the recognition that the security environment surrounding Japan is "the most severe in the postwar period," including the growing nuclear threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. In particular, in considering the "Taiwan contingency," we must assume a severe phase that possibly includes the threat of nuclear intimidation by China. On the other hand, even as the Japan-U.S. alliance deepens, it can be said that the creation of operational mechanisms such as coordination and decision-making concerning nuclear weapons for extended deterrence is a major challenge.
Based on our analysis of these current conditions and challenges, we have compiled 15 recommendations for (1) strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, (2) strengthening the posture of the Self-Defense Forces, (3) domestic preparedness and review in Japan, and (4) international risk reduction efforts.
**The views expressed in this seminar are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of the organizations with which they are affiliated or the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
For the text of the final report, please click here.
※You can read Japanese version here.
