Sato's remark on nukes shows hopes for nuclear deterrence: Kawamura

TOKYO, Dec. 22 Kyodo - Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said Monday that a request by then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato to the United States in 1965 to use its nuclear weapons against China in the event of war between the Asian neighbors shows Sato's hopes for nuclear deterrence.
Japanese diplomatic documents declassified Monday said that Sato asked then
Defense Secretary Robert McNamara in Washington for the United States to use
its nuclear weapons in the event that Japan became engaged in a war with China.
Kawamura told a news conference that he understands that Sato emphasized that
the United States' nuclear weapons would work as a deterrent against nuclear
attacks and threats against Japan.
Regarding Sato's remark that it would be possible for the United States to put
such an operation into action immediately from the sea, Kawamura said Sato
hoped for nuclear deterrence from the sea.
It is deemed that Sato's ''from the sea'' remark could be taken as tacit
consent to bring nuclear arms into Japanese territory. Kawamura said, however,
that nuclear weapons were not brought into Japanese territory.
The U.S. government never asked Japan to hold preliminary discussions to
introduce nuclear weapons into Japan as stated under the Japan-U.S. security
treaty, he said.
''The U.S. side fully understands our position in past highest-level
discussions,'' Kawamura said, adding that it is conclusive that nuclear weapons
were never brought to Japan.
Kawamura also said that Sato opposed nuclear proliferation, referring to Sato's
remark insisting that it is the firm and immovable policy of Japan that it will
not possess nuclear weapons of its own.
==Kyodo