Research Projects

Comparative Studies on Nuclear Crises in Three Regions: North Korea, Iran, and India and Pakistan

Summary and Aims of the Project

The aims of this project are (1) to clarify regional characteristics in the nuclear crises and (2) to find common mechanisms for the occurrence of a nuclear crisis through cross-regional comparative studies of the nuclear crises in three areas: the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian region, and the Indo-Pakistani region.

The goal of this project is to clarify the following four points within the duration of the research period. (1) To grasp each current situation of the nuclear arms race and deterrent relationships from a microscopic perspective based on area studies, (2) To identify specific factors (and differences) and common factors in each case of nuclear crisis through the approach of area studies. And (3) based on the common and different features revealed through these approaches, to model the nuclear crisis under the light of the deterrence and spiral theory, using a macro perspective based on the International Relations theory (the International Relations approach). Lastly, (4) we will measure the impact of the above research results on Japan's security and show strategic options.

This project can contribute to the achievement of "Peace and Justice for All" encouraged by the SDGs. The nuclear crisis involves the risk of escalation to nuclear war, and in that war, the use of nuclear weapons could lead to the mutual destruction of our world. For example, the single uranium-type nuclear weapon that was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II has killed 300,000 people in total. This project aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the three nuclear crises occurring in different regions to model the nuclear crisis. Through this work, this project strives to promote a peaceful and inclusive society towards sustainable development and to construct effective and responsible inclusive institutions at every level.

Lastly, this project has significance, because this study of the nuclear crises in these three regions it is being conducted by leading researchers in Japan and overseas, and also because North Korea and Iran are currently gaining attention through the mass media, as their nuclear weapons became more sophisticated. In this situation, this research project has some research advantages for disseminating our research results to Japan and overseas, as our researches in the past have always tried to do.

Research Projects