Countryman Says Nuclear Fuel Cycling is "Japan's own policy choice"

A day after the nuclear Security Summit concluded, the US Assistant Secretary Thomas M. Countryman said in an interview with NHK that the US is not in a position of either endorsing or opposing Japan's policy, indicating the US government has no intention of asking Japan to forsake its policy (of cycling nuclear fuel).

Assistant Secretary Thomas M. Countryman said:

"(That) can create tensions with neighboring countries as you think. Also it is economically not viable. So strictly from nonproliferation view-point of course I would be happy if no countries will be doing this.

Further on Japan's policy of cycling nuclear fuel, he said:

"That is the policy choice for Japan. It's not the job of the United States to endorse or to oppose that policy.

South Korea is keen on nuclear fuel cycling, but Countryman had earlier stated in the hearing the previous month that "all countries should refrain from cycling nuclear fuel". His statement was taken as the US expecting Japan to do the same.

Countryman's reference to Japan's policy choice, however, is taken as officially defining that the Obara administration, though opposing to nuclear fuel cycling, has no idea of asking the Japanese government to relinquish its policy on cycling nuclear fuel.

Nuclear energy is a national strategic priority in Japan. The disasters in March 2011 compelled all nuclear plants to shut down for safety inspections leaving Japan without nuclear-powered plants for the first time since 1970. As of February 2016 a total of three nuclear reactors have restarted.

With Hiroshima and Nagasaki in mind, Japan's nuclear policy is clear and to the point. Nuclear energy being an absolute must for its future subsistence, Japan knows what it takes to cohabit with nuclear energy. (Nathan Shiga)