First, Japan can announce unilaterally that it will permanently cut off all overseas developmental assistance to, and will aggressively discourage direct financial investment in, any country that defies the global consensus against nuclear weapons testing.
This is an action Tokyo can take today, as a matter of principle. Tokyo should stress that this action is not aimed at any specific party, but is merely a genuine reflection of heartfelt Japanese public opinion and international priorities.
Second, Tokyo can challenge its fellow G-8 members to emulate this move at their next meeting. This will effectively separate the talkers from those who are willing to match their lofty words with concrete actions aimed at permanently halting future nuclear weapons tests.
Japan has, rightfully, been seeking a more prominent role in international security affairs. Washington's failure to ratify the CTBT has given Tokyo an opportunity to take the initiative.
Ralph A. Cossa is executive director of the Pacific Forum CSIS in Honolulu, a non-profit, foreign policy research institute affiliated with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
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