Japanese Nuclear Disarmament Policies, Practices and National Identity
Anthony DiFilippo
Professor of Sociology
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania 19352
Introduction
Japan’s multifaceted identity is comprised broadly of historical and contemporary
elements. To ignore the historical elements, including the effects of diffusion from China
on Japanese culture and society, would be to discount the obvious. To disregard the
growth of Japanese industries and the “economic miracle” after World War II would
overlook the recent distinctiveness of Japan’s identity. Although Japan’s national identity
is a social and political composite that has both old and relatively new roots, its security
identity has remained problematic for more than fifty years.
Currently, Japan’s security identity is struggle between those who would like to
see it continue moving on the path to become a “normal country,” that is, ready to deploy
its military forces beyond its national borders, and a culture that continues to rely on the
values of pacifism. Thus, a very important part of this dilemma is Japan’s position with
regard to nuclear weapons, given both the strong opposition to them existing throughout
the country and its acceptance of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. While publicly advocating
the complete abolition of nuclear weapons, Tokyo welcomes Japan’s position under the
U.S. nuclear umbrella and sees the use of American nuclear weapons for Japanese
national security as a distinct possibility. Meanwhile, some key Japanese politicians and
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