Asians shocked by nuclear test

North Korea says it has carried out its first test of a nuclear weapon. The BBC News website spoke to people in South Korea, Japan and China to get their reaction.

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DR SHUJI HISANO, SOCIAL SCIENTIST, KYOTO, JAPAN

Shuji Hisano is concerned about Japan's reaction to the test

Shock was my first reaction when I got to know that North Korea had carried out the nuclear test.

Then there was anger. Japan's suffering at the end of the war as a result of nuclear bombs will make this test particularly hurtful to Japanese people.

I believe the role of the Japanese government could be critical here. I want to see strength on our part.

The major powers all have nuclear power and have carried out nuclear tests. Japan knows what nuclear war means. We can speak from a position of knowledge.

Japan's past suffering as a result of nuclear bombs will make this test particularly hurtful to Japanese

We are an unmilitarised nation. Because of these events, I fear that Japan could re-arm itself and become a military force once again. But we should not try and compete with neighbouring countries. We have a constitution which honours peace. But I can't see our government taking that view.

I feel the prevailing mood is anger and a desire to make ourselves powerful to counteract the threat that North Korea poses. I worry about the future of our region.

KIM JI-HYE, STUDENT, PUSAN, SOUTH KOREA

Kim Ji-hye says South Koreans feel helpless

I'm really frustrated and I'm so angry that I can't quite believe it. I really didn't want this to happen and part of me didn't really think it would happen.

But they finally did it and left us in confusion.

Actually, we have had very little time to digest the news. People here aren't really talking about it. There hasn't been much time for discussion. There is just silence - and I think that must mean great shock.

I think it is time to sever connections with North Korea because this time they have really gone too far.

I believe that North Korea will be truly isolated now. I believe this was an act to get other countries to remove financial sanctions. That won't work now.

But there are other fears to consider now. I am worried about military action. I hope this all ends now, with the test of this nuclear device. But I'm not sure I believe anything they say anymore.

I can't tell if our government is going to do anything properly. I certainly don't trust it, but we have to believe in it. There is nothing else we can do.

We feel quite helpless.

DUO NING, 27, ARCHITECT, BEIJING, CHINA

North Korea has always been a threat to the security of the region.

What happens if the United States takes serious action?

I'm not very surprised at this test. This is how North Korea does things. They do not have a clear and accountable government.

I've noticed the Chinese reaction is really interesting. My father is a Communist Party member and he used to teach Chinese history in college.

He is a supporter of the Communist Party and he believes that North Korea is doing the right thing because the US and other international powers have frightened many smaller countries.

I feel differently. While I don't think we have an immediate need to worry, we have to watch the reaction of other countries. After all, what happens if Japan searches for a stronger military? What happens if the United States takes serious action?

I think the world will look at China's role. After all, we have more power in the international community these days. It is our chance to learn how to deal with neighbours like North Korea.

SHIROKI NEGISHI, 38, ENGINEER, TOKYO, JAPAN

Shiroki Negishi the world has become a more dangerous place

This is terrible news, but it is not a surprise to me. I was expecting this to happen while our new prime minister was away on diplomatic visits.

I believe that Kim Jong-il wants to unify both Koreas under his leadership. I don't know if he will succeed. But this is a sign that he is prepared to even go against China.

By acting in this way, he has left his friendlier neighbours with no choice but to agree with Japan in condemning the actions.

Things have been going downhill for some years. The world is becoming a more dangerous place. But that is nothing new. It appears now that people are more inclined to resort to war than before.

HAVE YOUR SAY It is time for Japan to declare that it is pursuing nuclear weapons Kaleb, Penang Send us your comments

This is also a message to United States. They have to think hard about what they are going to do. Because who knows what Kim Jong-il is capable of next?

A lot also depends on China's reaction. I think we could be in for a dirty era of intrigue and double-dealing as the world tries to put a stop to this government.

Japan doesn't have the power to do anything here. But China could put a stop to this the hard way - or let Kim continue on his dangerous gambit.

KIM JIEUN, NURSE, 24, FROM SEOUL

Jieun Kim has no confidence in the South Korean government

I am speechless. It is very shocking news. Koreans have just finished a long holiday celebrating the full moon. It is a bad time for this to happen.

It is shocking because I thought North Korea was just pretending to have nuclear weapons. I never thought they would test this quickly.

I think that people will be very scared by this. Isn't the whole world scared of what North Korea could do?

I understand that the new UN Secretary General is going to be Korea's former foreign minister. Well, the North Korean government is giving him his first major test.

His reaction will be very interesting. He was the one who talked about a gentle approach with North Korea.

I have no confidence in our government. I don't believe our president. We cannot help what has happened, we cannot stop North Korea's desire to get worldwide attention. But we should react strongly.

All I know now is fear, there is going to be so much tension between the United States, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and China. I think this is going to go on for a while.

The worst part is that I am sure the North Korean government is very proud of itself. They have shown the world what they are capable of.

CHEN JIN-JIE, LAWYER, BEIJING, CHINA

Chen Jin-Jie believes negotiation is the way forward

I feel shocked. I didn't expect this to happen. I didn't think North Korea had the ability to do this. But it seems that I have underestimated their power.

I'm not sure that North Korea is a responsible state. It seems to me a little bit like China before economic reform. The leader has absolute authority over the whole country and this is the problem. He exerts a negative influence over his people and over the whole region.

But I think the only option for China is negotiation. China wants to maintain peaceful relationships with neighbouring countries. I think it is unnecessary and unwise to act strongly against our neighbours.

So far, this doesn't pose a real threat to local security. If other countries don't invade North Korea, then it won't use nuclear weapons.

Only under extraordinary circumstances will they discharge weapons against other countries. China has never invaded N Korea, so why should we worry about this?

I worry about what might happen if the US takes further steps against North Korea. If they act too harshly, the situation may get out of control.

This test by North Korea was a bad idea - but it is a warning to the outside world.