Japan wants nuclear submarines, but can it overcome the obstacles?

What happened: The Liberal Democratic Party began talks this week with coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party on revisions to Japan's defense strategy, with nuclear-powered submarines for the Maritime Self-Defense Force a central topic. Why it matters: If the coalition reaches an agreement, the parties are expected to clarify the need for these systems in strategy documents and include them in acquisition plans in the Defense Buildup Program, part of three defense documents to be revised by year-end.

The Liberal Democratic Party began talks this week with coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party on revisions to Japan's defense strategy, with nuclear-powered submarines for the Maritime Self-Defense Force a central topic.

If the coalition reaches an agreement, the parties are expected to clarify the need for these systems in strategy documents and include them in acquisition plans in the Defense Buildup Program, part of three defense documents to be revised by year-end.