Tokyo sees vessels as useful against Russian and Chinese threats, but domestic obstacles remain
The USS Kentucky nuclear-powered submarine docks at South Korea's Busan Naval Base. © Kyodo
TAKAKO GAKUTO, RYO NAKAMURA and RYOTA OGATA
October 15, 2026 01:22 JST
TOKYO -- The Japanese government is considering starting an investigation into whether to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of the upcoming regular update to its defense strategy, Nikkei has learned.