Japan-U.S. Nuclear Deal Extended Automatically

July 17, 2018

Tokyo- The Japan-U.S. nuclear cooperation pact was automatically renewed on Tuesday following its expiration 30 years after it took effect.

The accord came into force in July 1988. It allows Japan to stockpile plutonium that can be diverted to nuclear weapons in exchange for its promise to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

Japan's nuclear fuel cycle program, which includes the reuse of plutonium extracted from spent nuclear fuel for electricity generation, is based on the pact.

The extension made it possible for the pact to be terminated by either side with a six months' notice, raising concerns about a possible U.S. influence on Japan's energy policy.

A Japanese government official said that the United States is unlikely to terminate the accord, citing the bilateral alliance.

But there are concerns in Japan that Washington will urge Tokyo to change its energy policy in a way that is advantageous to the United States by threatening to terminate the accord.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump did not seek revisions to the pact.

From the standpoint of nuclear nonproliferation, however, there are strong calls in the United States for Japan to reduce its amount of stockpiled plutonium, totaling some 47 tons, enough to make 6,000 atomic bombs.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono told a press conference that it is very important to make efforts to reduce the massive amount of plutonium stockpiled by his country. But Japan has no detailed plans for the reduction in place.

The country's plan to use mixed plutonium-uranium oxide fuel at nuclear plants has made little progress due to the suspension of reactors nationwide following the March 2011 triple meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. Jiji Press