TOKYO, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Japan is reluctant to agree to a proposal by a nuclear non-proliferation panel urging the United States to adopt a "no first-strike" policy, sources say.
The International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, a joint effort of the Australian and Japanese governments, has proposed urging Washington to agree to limiting its use of nuclear weapons to deterrence, ruling out a first strike. But Tokyo's representative on the commission has expressed reservations, unnamed ICNND sources told the Japanese news agency Kyodo.
The sources said that while Japan has agreed to the principle of reducing the role of nuclear weapons, it won't go along with the "no first use" idea, and also has misgivings about a suggested timetable and weapons reductions.
The commission, which is co-chaired by former Japanese and Australian foreign ministers, looks to reinvigorate international efforts on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and envisions working with U.S. President Barack Obama on a new nuclear doctrine, the news agency said.
Tokyo, however, reportedly fears a weakening of its U.S. nuclear umbrella.
