Research on factor analysis and technical process for achieving denuclearization; Denuclearization of South Africa

Tazaki, Makiko ; Kimura, Takashi ; Shimizu, Ryo ; Tamai, Hiroshi ; Nakatani, Takayoshi ; Suda, Kazunori 

As part of the "Research on Factor Analysis and Technical Processes for Achieving Denuclearization" South Africa's nuclear development and denuclearization cases were investigated then analyzed from seven denuclearization factors namely (1) motivation for nuclear development, (2) internal and external situations at the time of denuclearization decision, (3) progress of nuclear development, (4) effects of sanctions, (5) incentives for denuclearization, (6) international framework for denuclearization, (7) denuclearization and verification methods. At the same time, characteristics of its denuclearization and lessons learned from the denuclearization were also analyzed. South Africa shifted its nuclear activities from research and development of "peaceful nuclear detonation" in the 1970s to developing "limited nuclear deterrence" and finally to manufacturing "transportable nuclear weapons" in the late 1980s. By then, it had completed producing six nuclear explosive devices using highly enriched uranium. However, in 1989, along with the abolition of the apartheid policy, South Africa decided denuclearization and dismantled its nuclear explosive devices and related facilities. Upon completion of dismantlement, it joined the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and concluded a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The South Africa has remained one of the rare countries that has continued to the peaceful use nuclear energy, and its voluntary denuclearization is considered as a good example of denuclearization in the future.