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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 07:01 25/12/2006 Report: Japan looked into developing nuclear warhead By The Associated Press TOKYO - The Japanese government recently looked into the possibility of developing nuclear warhead, a news report said Monday, citing an internal government document. Advertisement Yasuhisa Shiozaki, the government's top spokesman, however, denied any knowledge of such a document. The Japanese daily Sankei reported that experts affiliated with the government estimated that it will take at least three to five years for Japan to make a prototype nuclear warhead. The experts also estimated that Japan would need to spend about 200 billion yen ($1.68 billion) to 300 billion yen ($2.52 billion) and mobilize several hundred engineers to produce a prototype nuclear warhead, according to Sankei. The experts did not say whether Japan should develop nuclear weapons, according to the summary of the document titled "On the Possibility of Developing Nuclear Weapons Domestically," dated September 20 and carried by the paper. As the only country ever attacked by atomic weapons, Japan has for decades espoused a strict policy of not possessing, developing or allowing the introduction of nuclear bombs on its territory. The non-nuclear stance, however, has come under increasing scrutiny since North Korea conducted its first nuclear test on October 9, which raised severe security concerns in Japan, and broader fears that a regional arms race could be triggered. Just months prior to the North's nuclear test, it test-fired several ballistic missiles capable of hitting Japan. Several politicians have suggested that Japan should at least debate going nuclear following the October 9 test. The government, under newly elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has said the country's pacifist Constitution does not ban it from possessing nuclear weapons for self-defense, but stressed that Japan would stick to its policy of forbidding nuclear weapons on Japanese soil. Japan's huge plutonium stockpile from nuclear power stations is a major international concern, partly because it could be a target of terror attacks or could be turned into nuclear weapons. Officials at the Defense Agency could not immediately comment on Monday Bookmark to del.icio.us Clalit's 'star' doctors Clalit is in talks with the treasury over approval of its 'Star Program' for hospitals. I have a sukkah My husband's sukkah was developed with the help of design software from NASA.   1.   Japan is so full of shit... 03:32  |  Guess who 25/12/06   2.   High time 04:46  |  George 25/12/06   3.   why not? 06:24  |  Niva dos Santos 25/12/06   4.   Japan Nuk Weapons 07:23  |  Alfonso Bedoya 25/12/06   5.   Guess who -- Guess again -- but at least your consistent 08:39  |  bbl 25/12/06   6.   BANZAI 09:19  |  sho 25/12/06   7.   GOOD FOR THEM... 09:53  |  MIKE KATZ 25/12/06   8.   You are all idiots! 16:35  |  Pasmo 25/12/06   9.   Japan 17:51  |  William Gaboriault 25/12/06   10.   bbl #5 19:38  |  Guess who 25/12/06   11.   bbl #3 (RE: Taiwan!) 19:43  |  Guess who 25/12/06   12.   nukes 03:47  |  George 26/12/06   13.   Guess who #10 -- I stand corrected 10:21  |  bbl 26/12/06   14.   bbl #13 14:29  |  Guess who 26/12/06   15.   japan 15:02  |  rhino 08/10/07

Today Online IDF: Hamas in full control of Gaza arms smuggling Responses: 55 Report: Several North Korean scientists hurt in IAF strike in Syria Responses: 80 Akiva Eldar: Time is not on Israel's side in the peace process Responses: 46 Israel, Iran envoys meet at Chile event for book on Zionist group Responses: 33 Haaretz.com TV: Gay U.S. Jews don't have to choose between their sexuality, religion Responses: 16 Rosner's Domain * New Poll: A divided Jerusalem? * WTR: Turkey's reaction to the Armenian genocide bill * Was Desmond Tutu comparing Israel and Hitler? * Matt Brooks: Clear difference between Republicans and Democrats on challenges related to Israel More Headlines 09:58 IDF: Hamas now in full control of Gaza arms smuggling 14:28 WJC leaders meet Pope, discuss Iran and dialogue with Muslims 14:14 Lebanese paper: Former MK Bishara met with Hezbollah chief Nasrallah 14:38 Druze women protest in call to open Golan border crossing 05:28 MI: Syria likely to respond to IAF strike using ally like Hezbollah 14:14 Police carry out sweeping arrests as result of two undercover operations 12:07 Abramovich to Chelsea fans: Get used to Grant, he's here to stay 11:36 Israeli, Iranian diplomats meet at Chile launch of book on Zionist youth movement 11:28 Sudan to host thousands of Palestinian refugees from Iraq Previous Editions Select Day 07 oct 05 oct 04 oct 03 oct 02 oct 01 oct 30 sep 28 sep 27 sep 26 sep 25 sep 24 sep

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