111 nations agree on cluster bomb ban, but Japan undecided

Thursday 29th May, 10:15 AM JST

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13 Comments

noborito at 01:24 PM JST - 29th May

interesting how peaceful Japan is.
gdx9902 at 01:29 PM JST - 29th May

"but Japan only said it will engage in earnest discussions on whether it supports adoption."

translation: But weapons components used in cluster bombs and other bombs are a good chunk of our economy. please don't let us for sake that.
Altria at 01:36 PM JST - 29th May

I'm sure they need them for self-defence!
gdx9902 at 01:43 PM JST - 29th May

Technically Japan isn`t allowed to stockpile the bombs, but components are big business here.

and currently economic situation suggests that japan is under no threat from anyone.
gdx9902 at 01:43 PM JST - 29th May

war wise that is
taiko666 at 01:59 PM JST - 29th May

Japan is probably waiting for the USA to tell it what stance to take.
rjd_jr at 02:00 PM JST - 29th May

Hmm, no comment whatsoever on the nations that did not attend this conference? Namely, the U.S. amongst others?
GG2141 at 02:00 PM JST - 29th May

United States, Russia, China, India, Israel and Pakistan

Pakistan hates India India hates Pakistan Israel is hated by everybody Russia invented cluster bombs China invented gun powder and still wants Assam and Bangladesh. US Vice Presidents company manufactures them

Japan is sitting on the fence, as usual.

So where is the story here???
GG2141 at 02:02 PM JST - 29th May

The headline should read:

All the forward thinking, clear headed people agree. Usual suspects spoil the party.
meija at 02:31 PM JST - 29th May

but Japan only said it will engage in earnest discussions on whether it supports adoption.

Japan-speak for "we don't want to support it but we don't want to lose face by saying that we won't support it, so we'll just 'discuss it earnestly' until it goes away".

At least they bothered to show up for the meeting, unlike some.
Youdontknow at 04:33 PM JST - 29th May

Yeah lets agree not to use cluster bombs, as long as we don't whine about it when our enemies start buying them on the black market for cheap and using them instead of mortars.
tkoind2 at 05:17 PM JST - 29th May

Who will Japan drop them on anyway? Imagine the average 18-22 year old male here being sent off to war. Not possible. Sign the agreement and move on.
Farmboy at 05:54 PM JST - 29th May

Japan doesn't want to upset the US. The countries who don't make them or use cluster bombs, other than Japan, wouldn't wish them on their worst enemy, so they want a ban. I think Lockheed is the largest manufacturer, though I'm not positive about that.