Japan has three non-nuclear principles, “Not to produce nuclear arms, possess them, or allow them into the country.” The government has denied the existence of the Japan-U.S. Pact that goes against these principles. The former Prime Minister Mori denied these allegations. Then, former Prime Minister Aso also refused to investigate.
In late November, the Japan’s Foreign Minister, Katsuya Okada, set up the panel to investigate why the government had kept the pact under wraps. Okada says the change of power is a great opportunity to shed light on secret deal. So, it is the first issue to be addressed.
When Foreign Minister, Katsuya Okada, took office, the first thing he ordered was an investigation into the secret Japan-U.S. pact. Japan allegedly told the United States that it would turn a blind-eye towards US vessels carrying nuclear weapons calling at Japanese ports. The U.S. government, several years ago, declassified diplomatic papers on the accord, but liberal Democratic Party administrations repeatedly denied striking such a deal.
In 1960, when Japan and United States revised the bilateral security treaty, the two sides agreed to confer before the US brought nuclear arms into Japan. The United States was free to bring nuclear weapons to Japan between 1945 and 1960. But behind the scenes, the two countries allegedly came up with the deal to make port calls by US vessels carrying nuclear arsenals, exempt from those promised advanced talks.
Japan has been protected under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, at the same time, made a national policy, “Not to produce nuclear weapons, possess them, or allow them into the country.” If the secret pact did exist, the two policies contradict each other, and the Japan-U.S. security treaty needs a major review.
Why had the deal been kept secret for half of century? What are the issues underlining non-nuclear principles? Today’s Closeup will feature the exclusive interview of Foreign Minister, Katsuya Okada, and people who were present at the scene.
“Japan-US ‘Secret Nuclear Pact,’ – Interview with Katsuya Okada -” will be presented in Television around the greater New York Metropolitan area, for both American and Japanese in English voice over, by USN (US-Nippon Communications Network, a division of IRM U.S.A. Inc.) on Saturday, December 12 from 5 PM on WNYE (NYC-TV) Ch. 25. The program was produced by NHK, Japan’s Public Broadcasting. It can be seen in digital ground air wave as well as on various cables and satellite networks.
This documentary is one in a series entitled “Today’s Close-Up” produced by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). It had its premier broadcast in Japan, December 7, 2009.
USN broadcasts to the greater NY Metropolitan Area every Saturday via NYC-TV Ch. 25 (5:00 – 6:00 p.m.) The program includes “Visit to My Homeland” – a sightseeing tour of Japan’s countryside; “Japan Video Topics” – what’s on Japan, culture, cuisine, Matsuri (Festival) and other curious scenes from Japan. “USN Report” – community news of U.S. -Japan events in New York area; and “Wuta” – featuring clips from Japan’s pop music scene. Further details can be found online on our website http://www.irmnet.com/usn/index.html
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