Paper short abstract:

This paper addresses the issue of nuclear proliferation in Japan's identity and analyses the impacts caused by the evolving East Asian security landscape. We argue that ongoing transformations may present challenges to Japanese ontological security, bringing the nuclear debate into question.

Paper long abstract:

The renouncement of a nuclear weapons capability is one of the key features of Japan's ontological security. Having for decades maintained a posture of pacifism while relying on the Security Alliance with the United States for the fulfillment of its external security needs, the Japanese pledge for non-proliferation may be considered one of the fundamental projections of its post-war identity and a core normative value when addressing the international community.

However, with a regional security environment characterized by increased tensions and ongoing proliferation, in the midst of dramatic geopolitical transformations, the foundations of Japan's ontological security have been increasingly tested, as the system of stable assurance, guarantees and strategic hedging that they were once based upon is being replaced by a more challenging, multipolar and uncertain reality. This paper argues that while non-proliferation is still one of the main constituents informing Japan's identity configuration, the evolving East Asian security landscape has triggered new ontological security challenges, including bringing Japan's long-standing perspectives on nuclear issues into question. By examining how Japan's ontological security is being contested, this paper sheds light on the dynamics of nuclear proliferation in East Asia, as well as the long term effects on strategic posture and response to expanded nuclear threats.