Nuclear Diplomatic Relations

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Table of Contents

Introduction
The nuclear technology
Regulatory measures over nuclear technology
The nuclear crisis in Japan
Effects of the crisis on the future of nuclear power in Asia
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Diplomacy refers to the act of conducting negotiations between parties or nations through professional interactions. Diplomatic relations covers subjects in relation to matters that include business, war, environment and human rights among others.

With emergence of globalization and subsequent identification of particular issues as of global concern, international effort has been necessitated in even matters that occur within countries. Such has been the case of the Japanese nuclear crisis which has drawn international concern.

This paper seeks to discuss the possible implications of the Japanese nuclear crisis to the future of nuclear power in Asia. The paper will look into international regulations over nuclear power, the Japanese crisis, reactions into the crisis and the implications that the crisis could have on future nuclear power in Asia.

The nuclear technology

Developments in nuclear energy started in the 1930s with discovery of nuclear fission and a subsequent testing in the year 1939 in Germany.

The situation that was presented by the threat and the final occurrence of the Second World War then facilitated research into the nuclear field which led to the development of nuclear weapons. Following the impacts of the application of nuclear weapons during the world war, efforts were made to control the acquisition and use of nuclear facilities.

The regulations however gave room for restricted and monitored use of such technology for peaceful purposes. The United States for example enacted laws for peaceful use of nuclear energy in the year 1946. Countries such as the Soviet Union, France and United Kingdom then later established plants for use of nuclear energy (ICJT, 2001).

Regulatory measures over nuclear technology

Following the adverse effects of nuclear weapons during the Second World War, initiatives were made for the control and even the spread of nuclear technology around the globe. A treaty, nuclear non proliferation treaty, was for example established for international regulation of the technology.

Under the treaty, transfer or acquisition of nuclear weapons by any country was restricted with only regulated and supervised transfer of the technology form peaceful use such as in the production of energy (FAS, n.d.).

The establishment of “international atomic energy agency” as a subsidiary to the non proliferation treaty was then undertaken to ensure compliance to the treaty with the motive of ensuring peace (United Nations, 2002).

The agency’s role is stipulated to include promotion of interaction between countries with respect to peaceful application of the technology and at the same time prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons (United Nations, 2002).

Following the high risk factors that have been associated with the nuclear technology, there has been concern in the international community with calls that any country that involves in the application of nuclear technology, even for energy purposes, must ensure safety measures with respect to the environment.

The international atomic energy agency for instance provides that any party that establishes a nuclear plant must submit commitments to ensuring “effective levels of safety, security, and safeguards” (Apikyan & Diamond D., 2009, p. 26).

This is due to the associated risks that are associated to the nuclear technology that is a threat not only to a subject nation, but also to its entire neighborhood (Apikyan & Diamond, 2009).

The nuclear crisis in Japan

The nuclear problem that was realized in Japan in the year 2011 was as a result of a continuous leak that was realized in one of the country’s nuclear energy plants.

The leak that was caused by an earthquake led to devastating effects with more that fourteen thousand people left dead and many others with side effects of nuclear radiations. The radiations into the atmosphere and the sea also threatened safety across the Japanese boarders (BBC, 2011).

Effects of the crisis on the future of nuclear power in Asia

The effects of the Japanese nuclear power plant leak and its subsequent effects sent thrills of fears the whole world. In India for example, where nuclear energy has been an on going development, calls have been made for the abolition of the expansion and even use of nuclear energy on the grounds of security threats as was realized in Japan (Brewster, 2011).

The leaked emission from the Japanese plant also drew mixed reactions from representatives in the United Nations climate talks. The crisis triggered calls for more regulations over use of nuclear technology with respect to environmental safety.

These calls have possible implications of increased global regulations of use of nuclear energy which, if instituted, will equally affect the future establishments of nuclear sites in Asia as well as around the world (Fogarty, 2011).

Conclusion

The dangers that are associated with leaks from nuclear energy plants as was evidenced in the Japanese crisis has possible impacts of increased regulations by international bodies and pressure from environmental movements that might slow down developments of nuclear power applications in Asia as well as globally.

References

Apikyan, S. & Diamond, D. (2009). Nuclear Power and Energy Security. Netherlands: Springer.

BBC. (2011). Japan nuclear crisis over in nine months. Web.

Brewster, D. (2011). Political fallout from Japanese nuclear crisis hits India. Web.

FAS. Treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons. Web.

Fogarty, D. (2011). Japan nuclear crisis to impact UN climate talks- EU. Web.

ICJT. (2001). The history of nuclear technology. Web.

United Nations. (2002). UN & Disarmament. Web.

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