Title page 1

Contents 7

Abstract 5

Résumé 6

Introduction 8

The foundations of Japan's nuclear weapons policy 10

Three principles, four pillars 10

Opposition to proliferation and the issue of nuclear latency 12

Japan faces nuclear threats in northeast Asia 15

China, North Korea, Russia: Japan facing the "three nuclear fronts" 15

Strengthening Japan's defense and deterrence policy 16

The evolution of Japanese nuclear policy: three emerging debates 19

Toward an evolution of the non-introduction principle? 19

The debate on nuclear sharing 20

Naval nuclear propulsion 22

Conclusion 23