ABSTRACT

The mid-1960s to the mid-1970s were watershed years during which Japan made crucial decisions about its non-nuclear policies by interacting with the emerging nuclear non-proliferation regime. The decision to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT] generated tense debates amongst elite foreign policy officials, politicians, and the nuclear industry. This analysis explores their relationships and examines why Japan honoured its commitment to the non-proliferation regime. Following a micro-level analysis of archival evidence, in the face of uncertainty and disagreement regarding adherence to nuclear non-proliferation rules and norms, Japanese concerns over diplomacy and the domestic economy became key considerations in Tokyo’s decision-making process around its non-nuclear policy until ratification of the NPT in 1976. Although focusing solely on Japan, this examination’s findings may provide insight into other nations’ non-nuclear policies based on economic and political, rather than military or security, incentives and suggests scope for further research in the field of nuclear non-proliferation.

摘要

1960年代中期至1970年代中期是分水岭，在这一年中，日本通过与新兴的核不扩散制度进行互动，对其非核政策做出了重要决定。加入《不扩散核武器条约》的决定引起了精英外交政策官员，政界人士和核工业之间的激烈辩论。这项分析探讨了它们之间的关系，并检验了日本为何兑现其对不扩散制度的承诺。在对存档证据进行微观分析之后，面对关于遵守核不扩散规则和规范的不确定性和分歧，日本对外交和国内经济的担忧成为东京围绕其无核的决策过程中的关键考虑因素。直到1976年批准《不扩散核武器条约》为止。