【By Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】With Australia in front and South Korea behind, the United States' allies in the Asia-Pacific region are pushing forward with their nuclear submarine plans. What about Japan?

According to a report by Nikkei Asia on October 31, the recent decision by US President Trump to approve South Korea's acquisition of a nuclear submarine may reshape the security environment in East Asia, and Japan is also discussing upgrading its submarine fleet. The report suggests that if South Korea acquires nuclear submarines, Japan may be compelled to do the same, and the new government led by Takayuki Minami has taken an open attitude toward this.

It is reported that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Prime Minister Takayuki Minami and its ruling coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, have stated in an agreement that they will push for obtaining "next-generation propulsion system" submarines. On October 22, the new Defense Minister of Japan, Koizumi Shinjiro, mentioned at his press conference that "all options will be considered, and no possibilities will be ruled out."

However, Nikkei Asia also warned that any move by Japan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines would face opposition from China, Russia, and North Korea.

Photo: July 30, 2004, Connecticut, USA, the first "Virginia"-class nuclear submarine returned to Groton's Electric Boat shipyard after its first sea trial. CNN

Nuclear-powered submarines are mainly used for military purposes, featuring strong underwater concealment and long endurance, enabling them to perform various combat missions, but their construction cost is far higher than diesel-electric submarines.

Nikkei Asia claimed that currently, Japan and South Korea only have diesel-electric submarines, and have relied on the US nuclear submarine forces to counter China and Russia. Although the operational details of US submarines are classified, and nuclear propulsion technology is a strictly confidential secret of the US, which has only been shared with the UK and Australia before, it is generally believed that US submarines are deployed throughout the Pacific region.

The report said that compared to South Korea, Japan needs to defend a much larger maritime area. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has been advancing a plan to equip conventional submarines with long-range missiles. Some defense analysts believe that nuclear-powered submarines should be used for this purpose.

Nikkei Asia pointed out that among the Pacific Rim countries, Australia is planning to acquire its first nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership project with the US and the UK.

In November 2021, the US, UK, and Australia formally signed the "Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Exchange Agreement," laying the foundation for sharing nuclear submarine confidential information. Australia will become the seventh country to possess nuclear-powered submarines.

According to the plan, the US will sell three "Virginia"-class nuclear submarines to Australia starting in the early 2030s, and may add two more in the future. At the same time, the US, UK, and Australia will cooperate to develop a new type of nuclear submarine, with the UK and Australia expected to be equipped with them in the late 2030s and early 2040s, respectively. The entire program is expected to be completed by 2055, costing 245 billion USD.

Nikkei Asia claims that these developments have affected Japan's defense strategy, as they could lead the US to rely more on its allies for Pacific defense, while focusing on protecting its own territory.

On October 29 local time, US President Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, at the National Gyeongju Museum. During the meeting, Lee requested the US to provide nuclear fuel for South Korean nuclear-powered submarines to enhance the combat capabilities of South Korean submarines. He also claimed that diesel-electric submarines have limited underwater endurance, thus facing limitations in tracking Chinese or North Korean submarines.

Trump did not directly respond to Lee's request on the spot, but he said that the US hopes to cooperate with South Korea in shipbuilding and joint defense. Trump said, "From the perspective of helping other countries, our defense is very important. We will handle it well and work with you."

Korea News Service reported that this is the first time the South Korean government has officially announced its intention to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.

According to Politico, on October 30 local time, US President Trump stated that the US will share nuclear propulsion technology with South Korea to help the South Korean Navy build at least one nuclear-powered submarine.

That day, Trump posted on the "Truth Social" platform that South Korea had agreed to pay 35 billion USD to the US to obtain lower tariffs on goods imported from South Korea. In addition, South Korea agreed to purchase large amounts of US oil and natural gas, and South Korean wealthy enterprises and businessmen will invest over 60 billion USD in the US.

"The US-South Korea military alliance is stronger than ever, and based on this, I have approved South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines, rather than the old-fashioned diesel-powered submarines they currently have, which are far less flexible," Trump added: "South Korea will build its nuclear-powered submarines right here in the US! Our shipbuilding industry is about to experience a strong recovery. Stay tuned!"

Regarding this, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Guo Jia Kun, stated that China has noted the situation and hopes that the US and South Korea will fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations and do things that promote regional peace and stability, rather than the opposite. "We emphasize that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, implements a defensive national defense policy and friendly neighborhood foreign policy, and has always been a pillar of maintaining regional peace and security."

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