Japan's excessive nuclear materials pose threat to world

Japan's massive nuclear material stockpiles, enough to produce thousands of nuclear bombs, pose a threat to the world given the growing danger of nuclear terrorism.

Japan claims that its stockpiles are for power generation and research in line with the resource-short island country's aspirations for energy independence.

It is understandable that the shortage of conventional energy resources has led Japan to the pursuit of nuclear energy, but the country's alarming nuclear material stockpiles, which include 1.2 tons of highly enriched uranium that can be directly used to make nuclear weapons, are way above its needs for civilian purposes.

Since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was damaged in a tsunami in the wake of a massive earthquake in 2011, only a few Japanese nuclear facilities are in operation, with the supply of nuclear materials overwhelmingly dwarfing the actual need.

Storing more than necessary nuclear materials also goes against the regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which require countries to keep a balance between the demand and supply of nuclear materials.

Moreover, the excessive stockpiles are a time bomb for a populous country prone to both natural and man-made disasters like Japan. No doubt, the more nuclear stockpiles it has, the higher risks it faces.

Japan's new controversial security laws, which allow the Self-Defense Forces to engage in armed conflicts overseas even if Japan is not attacked, leave Japan's nuclear facilities and nuclear materials more likely to be targeted by terrorists.

Also alarming than the ecological and environmental consequences is Japan's rightist tendency. For example, Yusuke Yokobatake, director-general of the Japanese Cabinet Legislation Bureau, allegedly said that Japan's Constitution does not necessarily ban the use of nuclear weapons.

Such remarks have no doubt deepened the world's skepticism over the stance of Japan, which had vowed not to produce, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons. Its nuclear ambition would add uncertainty and pose a huge threat to the already tense situation in Northeast Asia.

As its nuclear material stockpiles would do good to none, it is advisable that Japan, which clearly understands the horrible consequences of nuclear proliferation, cut its storage as soon as possible.