Asahi.com reports "Japan eyes nuclear subs after U.S. gives OK to S. Korea" November 6, 2025 at https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16143129
[Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi] "said on Nov. 6 that Japan must consider adding nuclear-powered submarines to its fleet, a sentiment spurred by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent approval for South Korea to build its own..."
Pete Comment:
Japan expressing interest in nuclear submarines once South Korea makes nuclear submarine progress is no surprise. I have been predicting it since 2015, if not earlier, see my:
"South Korean Submarines, 3,000+ ton KSS-III, Nuclear Potential" of April 16, 2015 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2015/04/south-korean-submarines-3000-ton-kss.html Comments below it include:
1) RoK's (I will call it SK's) KSS-II is a TKMS-HDW 214. It looks like a well balanced submarine with good range. I think it would serve Australia needs if the AIP were removed and Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) used. Australia's Navy, if buying from TKMS, almost definitely wants a larger 216.
2) Australia considers SK an ally - this is mainly in the US regulated alliance structure. All 3 countries see China and Russia as potential strategic opponents.
3) If SK built a KSS-N then Japan would almost definitely respond by building a nuclear propelled "Soryu". (Japan and SK are not enemies but they are not friends either.) Australia would probably respond by asking the US to sell (about 6) Virginia SSNs/SSGNs to Australia.
4) Australia's current strategy is to support the US in order to persuade the US to keep on defending Australia against nuclear powers. This is called extended nuclear deterrence.
If the US didn't help or wouldn't at least sell us SSNs/SSGNs then Australia might need to develop its own nuclear weapons for "armed neutrality".
Regards
Pete
4/21/2015 1:29 PM"
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"S Korea richer than Russia: So SK SSBN might be Affordable" of August 2021 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/08/s-korea-richer-than-russia-so-sk-ssbn.html
https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2021/12/s-korean-built-nuke-sub-reactor-likely.html of December 2021
"S. Korean & Japanese Nuclear Submarine Propulsion & Weapons" of August 2020 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2020/08/s-korean-japanese-nuclear-submarine.html
Also see: https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2019/10/south-korea-looking-at-frances.html
and most recent https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2025/09/russia-suspected-of-helping-north-korea.html
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Separately by early October 2025 Japanese intelligence may have become aware of the coming South Korea-US nuclear submarine deal.
See my "Japan Long Term Planning ICBM as well as SSGN Capabilities? Hypersonic Missiles" of October 26, 2025 at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2025/10/japan-long-term-planning-icbm-as-well.html
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