Japan Brief/FPCJ, No. 0938
July 9, 2009


United States and Russia Agree on New Framework
for Nuclear Arms Reduction

On July 6 US President Barack Obama, who was visiting Russia for the first time since his appointment, held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the Kremlin in Moscow. In preparation for the conclusion of a follow-on treaty to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I (START I), which expires in December, the two leaders agreed that the United States and Russia would reduce their strategic nuclear stockpiles to a maximum of 1,500–1,675 warheads each and their delivery systems, such as ballistic missiles and strategic bombers, to a maximum of 500–1,100 each. The two leaders signed a Joint Understanding that clearly stipulates these reductions, which are to be achieved within seven years after the new treaty goes into force. From now on the United States and Russia will hasten final negotiations with the aim of concluding a follow-on treaty before the expiration of START I.

Large Reduction of Strategic Nuclear Warheads

While START I, which was signed in 1991, stipulated the reduction of strategic nuclear warheads to no more than 6,000 each and delivery systems to no more than 1,600 each, the latest agreement “seeks to reduce the number of nuclear warheads to nearly one-quarter of the START I level” (Asahi Shimbun editorial, July 8) and includes verification mechanisms. Under the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (Moscow Treaty), which was signed in 2002, the two countries did agree to reduce strategic nuclear warheads to 1,700–2,200 each by the end of 2012. But since this treaty did not provide any verification regulations and did not cover delivery systems for nuclear warheads, a post–START I follow-on treaty was called for.

In a joint press conference after the talks, President Obama noted concerning the post–START I follow-on treaty that “the United States and Russia have to take leadership” in nuclear arms reduction. President Medvedev emphasized that “we share the largest burden in the nonproliferation of strategic arms.” A fact sheet on the Joint Understanding between the United States and Russia regarding a follow-on treaty to START I stated, “A follow-on agreement to START directly supports the goals outlined by the President during his speech in Prague [calling for a world without nuclear weapons] and will demonstrate Russian and American leadership in strengthening the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

On July 7 Minister for Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone issued a statement welcoming the Joint Understanding, saying it “indicates that progress has been made in the negotiations for the treaty.” The statement continued, “Japan hopes that negotiations will be concluded on the basis of this agreement before December 2009, when START I is due to expire.”

Newspaper Editorials

The editorials of Japan’s major newspapers welcomed the Joint Understanding between the United States and Russia as a “step toward a world without nuclear weapons” but also urged the two countries to make efforts toward the prevention of nuclear proliferation.

The Mainichi Shimbun editorial (July 7) commented, “It is a milepost on the way toward the ‘world without nuclear weapons’ advocated by President Obama. We are delighted that the United States and Russia, which together possess over 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads, have agreed on a new framework for nuclear arms reduction.” It added, “We welcome the fact that they also agree to reduce delivery systems, such as missiles, to the lowest level in history.” After saying this, the Mainichi recommended, “In line with the spirit of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, we want the United States and Russia to advance nuclear arms reduction and make efforts toward the denuclearization of countries that are not permitted to possess nuclear weapons. That is an essential condition for realizing a nuclear-free world.”

The Yomiuri Shimbun editorial (July 8) stated, “The United States and Russia must fulfill a role not only in nuclear arms reduction but also in the prevention of nuclear proliferation.” It requested, “For President Obama, who has declared that he will pursue a world without nuclear weapons, it is a first step toward the ultimate objective. We want the two countries to steadily execute the agreement and realize further nuclear arms reductions.” Observing that “The threat of nuclear proliferation has continued to intensify in the post-Cold-War world,” the Yomiuri insisted, “The United States and Russia, the two nuclear superpowers, have a responsibility to adopt effective measures in the field of nuclear nonproliferation as well.”

Noting that “The United States and Russia reached a bold agreement Monday on nuclear disarmament,” the Asahi editorial (July 8) declared, “It represents a significant step forward, not only for US President Barack Obama, who seeks a ‘nuclear-free’ world, but for the entire planet as well,” adding that “We applaud the leaders of both the United States and Russia for their joint decision.” The Asahi then cautioned, “The goal of ridding the world of nuclear weapons can begin to look attainable only if Washington and Moscow are able to move forward in the days ahead.” It suggested, “They will then need to pursue even further disarmament and chart a road map together for multilateral disarmament talks by bringing in other nuclear powers.”

While commenting that “We can welcome the efforts of the two countries,” the Sankei Shimbun editorial (July 8) requested, “In the process of arms reduction, if the United States loses the deterrent function (nuclear umbrella) that it provides to allied countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and Europe, everything will be lost. We urge the United States not to neglect consultations with its allies and to move forward in consideration of strategic stability.” Furthermore, insisting that “The nuclear situation in Asia must not be forgotten,” the Sankei noted, “In Northeast Asia, in addition to nuclear and missile development by North Korea, the existence of China, which is advancing the modernization of its nuclear arsenal, ballistic missiles, nuclear submarines, and the like, cannot be ignored either.” It added, “In taking the initiative in nuclear arms reduction, the United States and Russia must take account of this reality.”

Welcoming the accord, The Nikkei editorial (July 8) commented, “The agreement also includes the reduction of delivery systems for nuclear warheads, such as ballistic missiles and bombers, which is a big step forward.” It then went on, “Although the two leaders have announced large reductions in strategic nuclear weapons, the road to the conclusion of a new treaty is still steep. . . . There is a mountain of issues that have to be examined closely, such as specific verification methods.” The Nikkei also recommended, “Toward the realization of the ‘world without nuclear weapons’ advocated by President Obama, it is necessary for the United States and Russia to set an example through the early conclusion and ratification of a new treaty and thereby give an impetus to nuclear arms reduction in the world.”

(Copyright 2009 Foreign Press Center, Japan)

*Japan Brief is an original production of the Foreign Press Center, Japan, and does not represent the views of the Government of Japan or of any other body.


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