As I read this article questioning whether the People’s Liberation Army is still under control of the Chinese Communist Party, noting the tension between China and Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, I began to wonder. What would happen in a military confrontation between China and Japan? I don’t think the outcome is a foregone conclusion by any means. Unless, that is, you believe the Chinese will use nuclear weapons.
It seems to me that Chinese use of nuclear weapons against Japan would be very, very dangerous. They’d be incentivizing a very harsh response from Russia, the United States, or both.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Japan has some easy-to-assemble bombs spread about their country. If they aren’t put together they can deny having nuclear arms, but still have bombs nearly ready for use. It’s not like the Japanese don’t have the technological know-how.