Nuclear Policy and Anti-Nuclear Movements in Postwar Japan (1945–1976)

1. Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

   Aug 6, 1945Labels: Hiroshima, Nagasaki

   • Britannica
   • ICRC

2. Japan adopts the postwar Constitution (Article 9)

   May 3, 1947Labels: Article 9, Postwar Constitution

   • MOJ Japan
   • National Diet

3. Lucky Dragon No. 5 irradiated by Castle Bravo fallout

   Mar 1, 1954Labels: Daigo Fukury, Castle Bravo

   • Britannica
   • Daigo Fukuryu

4. Kuboyama Aikichi dies from radiation-related illness

   Sep 23, 1954Labels: Kuboyama Aikichi, Daigo Fukury

   • Daigo Fukuryu
   • Britannica

5. First World Conference against A- and H-Bombs opens

   Aug 6, 1955Labels: World Conference, Hiroshima

   • Wikimedia
   • Gensuikyo

6. Atomic Energy Basic Law passed

   Dec 19, 1955Labels: Atomic Energy, Japanese government

   • Law Trans
   • AEBL

7. Japan Atomic Energy Commission begins operations

   Jan 1, 1956Labels: Japan Atomic, cabinet

   • JAEC
   • AEBL

8. Nihon Hidankyo is founded

   Jan 1, 1956Labels: Nihon Hidankyo, Hibakusha

   • Hidankyo
   • Le Monde

9. JRR-1 research reactor reaches criticality

   Aug 27, 1957Labels: JRR-1, research reactor

   • OSTI
   • IAEA Archives

10. U.S.–Japan Security Treaty signed amid nuclear anxieties

    Jan 19, 1960Labels: U S, Anpo protests

    • US Japan Treaty
    • Anpo Protests

11. Satō announces Three Non-Nuclear Principles to the Diet

    Dec 11, 1967Labels: Eisaku Sat, Three Non-Nuclear

    • 3 Principles
    • Sato Bio

12. Japan signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

    Feb 3, 1970Labels: NPT, Japan

    • UNTC NPT
    • NPT

13. Diet formally adopts Three Non-Nuclear Principles resolution

    Jan 1, 1971Labels: Diet resolution, Three Non-Nuclear

    • 3 Principles
    • Non nuclear

14. Okinawa reversion and “nuclear-free” return framework

    May 15, 1972Labels: Okinawa reversion, Okinawa

    • Britannica
    • 3 Principles

15. Lucky Dragon No. 5 becomes a Tokyo museum ship

    Jan 1, 1976Labels: Daigo Fukury, museum ship

    • Daigo Fukuryu
    • Yumenoshima

16. Japan deposits NPT instrument of ratification

    Jun 8, 1976Labels: NPT ratification, Japan

    • UNTC NPT
    • IAEA