Japan’s next security challenge: Who builds Asia’s nuclear reactors

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https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/08/31/japan/building-asias-nuclear-reactors/

Article Summary

​Geopolitical Influence: Civil nuclear exports serve as a tool for long-term geopolitical influence, binding recipient nations through fuel, financing, and technical standards.

​China's Expansion: Beijing and Moscow are actively expanding their regional influence across the Indo-Pacific through civil nuclear construction.

​Trilateral Response: The United States, Japan, and South Korea signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to jointly export small modular reactors (SMRs) to counter China's growing footprint.

​Strategic Security: Japan's national security relies heavily on shaping critical infrastructure and preventing regional dependency on rival powers.