Japan's Potential Nuclear Arsenal and Energy Strategy

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Japan has the ability to quickly build a nuclear arsenal if needed, with advanced space technology allowing them to produce ICBMs. They possess a large stockpile of plutonium and have revived their nuclear industry for both energy independence and security. Their dependency on fossil fuel imports is being alleviated by nuclear power, reducing reliance on liquefied natural gas. Gas, being a continental-scale resource, is geopolitically important due to the ease of transporting it through pipelines, impacting energy policies on a regional scale.

On today's episode of Live Players, Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg dive into all things nuclear. They cover the historical role of coal and oil in shaping global conflicts, the inevitability of nuclear proliferation, and the challenges of scaling nuclear energy. They also discuss the inevitability of nuclear weapons and Samo proposes a strategy to mitigate the risks associated.

Live Players is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co

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Check out Erik's new show Request for Startups featuring a rotating cast of founders and investors (including Dan) sharing their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. The first episode is out now - we over better dating apps, references as a service, and WeWork for productivity

Watch and Subscribe on Substack: https://requestforstartups.substack.com/p/receipt-based-dating-reference-checks
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/request-for-startups-with-erik-torenberg/id1728659822
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/739L1LR32QI2XyoZlRh5nv

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We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.

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LINKS:

Samo’s Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/

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X / TWITTER:

@eriktorenberg

@samoburja

@turpentinemedia

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:55) How energy impacts geopolitics

(02:43) Coal is extremely regional as an energy source

(04:32) Oil is evenly distributed around the world

(08:16) Fracking deconstrains energy

(10:09) Nuclear enters the story in 1945

(16:38) When the great powers of the world limit nuclear proliferation.

(18:14) Making nuclear energy affordable

(21:27) Our energy needs are kind of trivial and we should be a nuclear civilization by now

(23:30) Sponsor - Secureframe

(24:28) Nuclear acceleration is inevitable

(37:46) The US might as well reap the benefits from building cheap and abundant nuclear energy

(47:34) Is the only way we get the abundance that comes with nuclear energy is to increase the risk of nuclear war?

(55:02] On free export of nuclear technology across countries

(57:27) Wrap

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.