China Raises Nuclear Concerns Over Japan’s Plutonium Stockpile

China says Japan has a very large amount of plutonium from nuclear energy activities.

A Chinese ambassador said the separated plutonium could theoretically make about 5,500 nuclear warheads.

He also said Japan has more plutonium in spent nuclear fuel that has not yet been extracted.

China argues that Japan’s technology and growing military capabilities could let it change its defence policy quickly.

Japan says it follows rules that prohibit possessing, producing, or introducing nuclear weapons.

Japan also says its nuclear research and energy use are only for peaceful purposes.

The two countries are arguing about Japan’s military expansion and China’s military activities.

The plutonium figures have appeared in Chinese criticism before.

The claims describe a theoretical capability, not a statement that Japan is building nuclear weapons.