Kishida Cautious About Japan's Acquiring A Nuke Submarine

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed caution about acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine to boost the country's defense capability, a call made by some opposition parties ahead of the upper house election next month, Kyodo News reported.

Photo Insert: "We will see what needs to be prioritized to safeguard the people's lives and their livelihoods," said Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida.

"I'm not so sure if making the leap to a nuclear submarine is a good idea," Kishida made the remarks while appearing on a Fuji TV program with other party leaders.

He cited the difficulty of using nuclear power for military purposes under Japan's nuclear energy law, as well as the high operating costs.

However, Kishida, the leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), emphasized the importance of strengthening Japan's defenses at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's military assertiveness have highlighted Japan's security challenges.

"We will see what needs to be prioritized to safeguard the people's lives and their livelihoods," he said.

Among other things, Kishida reiterated his commitment to enact measures to mitigate the impact of high energy and food prices, which have been exacerbated by the yen's weakness, raising the cost of imported goods.

The Japanese Communist Party's leader, Kazuo Shii, has urged the government to cut the consumption tax rate in half to 5% and implement wage-increase measures.

Natsuo Yamaguchi, the leader of the LDP's junior coalition partner Komeito, agreed with Kishida, calling a nuclear-powered submarine "unrealistic."

Ichiro Matsui, leader of the Japan Innovation Party, and Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, have both called for the purchase of a nuclear-powered submarine to improve deterrence and reconnaissance capabilities.

Matsui stated that Japan "should have an advanced type (of submarine) to increase deterrence," whereas Tamaki emphasized the benefit of a nuclear submarine's ability to stay underwater for months for enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

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