Staff writer

SAKAI, Osaka Pref. -- Because other East Asian countries have nuclear arsenals, Japan should discuss beefing up its defenses, not just mulling the introduction of atomic weapons but also aircraft carriers to patrol sea lanes and a multilateral alliance that excludes China, according to Liberal Party lawmaker Shingo Nishimura.

But, like France immediately following World War I, many in the Japanese government believe they are safe from foreign aggressors and do not want to broach such issues, Nishimura charged.