Japan‑US International Workshop Reducing Threats Posed by Nuclear Weapons : Possible Cooperation between Japan and the United States
著者 TAKAHARA Takao
journal or
publication title
明治学院大学国際学部付属研究所研究所年報 = Annual report of the Institute for
International Studies
number 12
page range 61‑64
year 2009‑12
URL http://hdl.handle.net/10723/516
Japan-US International Workshop
“Reducing Threats Posed by Nuclear Weapons:
Possible Cooperation between Japan and the United States”
Takao Takahara
Time seems ripe for the United States, the only nation to have used nuclear weapons, and Japan, the only nation to have been their actual target, to cooperate in global nuclear disarmament.
On January 24 and 25, 2009, an international workshop titled “Reducing Threats Posed by Nuclear Weapons: Possible Cooperation between Japan and the United States” was held. In addition to two keynote speakers and twelve paper-presenters, there were ten invited participants to the discussion.
Beginning with keynote speeches from Ambassador Rolf Ekeus and Professor Mitsuru Kurosawa, an extremely intensive and interesting discussion developed through the five programmed sessions. Although there were occasional differences of opinion, most notably a sense of mutual respect prevailed over the group, and the workshop ended with a shared forward-looking feeling. Actually, exchanges among the participants continued in a yet another project funded by the Center for Global Partnership for the year 2009.
The papers presented were compiled into a leaflet after the workshop and was published by the Institute for International Studies. Many of the papers were revised after the workshop and some came up with a new title. The papers were not at all edited to smooth out the differences among each other. A paper from Professor Heigo Sato, who was absent at the workshop, was sent in for the publication. Professor Lawrence Scheinman, who was originally in the program, was also unable to attend. He did not present a paper but provided the workshop with insightful notes sent via e-mail.
This was a good start. Representing the voices of the participants, I would like to express gratitude to the Center of Global Partnership, without whose support this workshop was not possible. Heartfelt thanks also to the staff associated with the International Institute for International Studies, Meiji Gakuin University, who as usual laboriously worked to make the workshop successful.
Japan-US International Workshop Reducing Threats Posed by Nuclear Weapons:
Possible Cooperation between Japan and the United States
January 24-25, 2009
Meiji Gakuin University, Main Building, Conference Hall 1-2-37 Shirokanedai Minato-ku Tokyo, 108-8636
Co-sponsored by
Center for Global Partnership, Pugwash USA, Pugwash Japan.
Organized by
Institute for International Studies, Meiji Gakuin University
January 23 (Fri)
Participants arrive
Hotel Villa Fontaine Annex, Roppongi 1-6-2, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan,
TEL: 03-3560-5550 FAX: 03-3560-5677, http://www.hvf.jp/roppongi_annex/
January 24 (Sat)
8:30 Registration Opening Session 9:00
Opening Remark Prof. Takeshi HARA
(Director, Institute for International Studies, Meiji Gakuin University) 9:15 Keynote Speeches Amb. Rolf EKÉUS (Chair, Swedish Pugwash)
Prof. Mitsuru KUROSAWA (Professor, Osaka Jogakuin College)
Prof. John FINNEY
(Professor, University College London)
“Changing attitudes and identity about nuclear weapons issues: reaching pivotal constituencies.”
Prof. Tomohiro INAGAKI
(Associate Professor, Hiroshima University)
“A Scientific Reexamination of Nuclear Threats”
12:00 Lunch
Session 2: A Critical Examination on the Role of Nuclear Weapons Chair: Prof. EDEN
Despite the threat posed by nuclear weapons, nuclear disarmament is hardly moving forward.
How are we to reduce the role nuclear weapons play in international politics? This session tries to critically reexamine the enduring dependence on nuclear weapons.
Prof. Masako IKEGAMI (Professor, Stockholm University)
“A Historical examination on the Decision-making Process of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”
Prof. ZHAO Wuwen
(Professor, China Academy of Engineering Physics )
“The Frontal Defense of National Military Territory and the Complicated Security Assurance”
Prof. Takao TAKAHARA
(Professor, Meiji Gakuin University)
“Reconsidering the Japanese Dependence on “Nuclear Umbrella” ” Ms. Wakana MUKAI
(Ph.D. Candidate, University of Tokyo) 13:30
“The Paradoxical Implication of the Nonproliferation Regime”
15:30 Coffee Break
Session 3: Compatibility of the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy with Nuclear Nonproliferation Chair: Prof. FINNEY
16:00
With a wide concern on energy security and global warming, nuclear energy is increasingly drawing attention. Yet, technology used in these activities can quickly be linked to the development of nuclear weapons. This session will focus on new proposals to deal with this basic problem, such as the MNA, and seek opportunities for U.S.-Japan cooperation in this field.
Prof. Tatsujiro SUZUKI and (Visiting Professor, University of Tokyo)
Dr. Tadahiro KATSUTA
(Researcher, Meiji Gakuin University)
“A Proposal for Multilateral Nuclear Fuel Cycle Approach: Ideas and Challenges”
Prof. Jor-Shan CHOI
(Project Professor, University of Tokyo)
“A regional network of nuclear fuel cycle facilities for Asia Pacific”
Prof. Nobumasa AKIYAMA
(Associate Professor, Hitotsubashi University)
“The Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy and the Control of Nuclear Material”
18:00 Dinner
18:30 Reception
January 25 (Sun)
Session 4: Opportunity for a U.S.-Japan Cooperation Chair: Prof. SUZUKI
United States is the largest and most powerful nuclear weapons state: Japan is the only country that has experienced the dropping of atomic bombs. What can these two countries with their own uniqueness do to cooperate in nuclear issues? This session will focus on this question and tries to frame policy implications for the future.
Prof. Lynn EDEN
(Professor, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University)
“Implications of the U.S. ‘Gang of Four’ Initiative ‘Toward a Nuclear-Free World’ ” Prof. Lawrence SCHEINMAN (commentary only)
(Distinguished Professor, Washington Office, James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies)
Prof. Heigo SATO (paper only) (Professor, Takushoku University)
“Conditions for Nuclear-Free-Northeast Asia”
Prof. Akira KUROSAKI
(Adjunct Professor, Rikkyo University) 9:00
