Statement by Mr. Takeshi NAKANE

Deputy Director-General,

Disarmament, Non-Proliferation

and

Science Department,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan,

Representative of Japan to the NPT Review Conference in 2005

At the Plenary Meeting of Main Committee III

May 2005, New York

Madame Chair,

Let me begin by congratulating you on your assumption election to the Chairman of the Main Committee III. We trust that your experience and skillful guidance will facilitate constructive discussions and contribute to bringing a fruitful outcome of this Committee to. a fruitful outcome. My delegation will spare no efforts in co-operating with you in the discharge of your important duties.

(Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and Japan’s policy)

Madame Chair,

The peaceful uses of nuclear energy is one of the three main pillars of the NPT, together with the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. To slight any one of these three pillars would seriously jeopardize the credibility of the entire non-proliferation regime. In this context, the it should be noted that peaceful uses of nuclear energy by a non-nuclear-weapon State should not be unduly affected as long as it that carries out its nuclear activities with the confidence of the international community by faithfully fulfilling its NPT obligations and by ensuring high transparency. of its nuclear activities should not be unduly affected.

(Nuclear Energy)

Madame Chair,

Promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy serves forto the socio-economic development and for the preservation ofto preserve the global environment. The electricity generated by nuclear power occupies approximately 31% of the total electricity supply in Japan. Undeterred supply of electricity generated by nuclear power is a prerequisite in consolidating Japan’s socio-economic activities, thereby, inducing economic development. Considering great demands forof future energy supply worldwide, nuclear power is destined to play an important role in our efforts to dealcope with global warming by minimizing the emission of carbon dioxide.

Recognizing the invaluableimportant benefits of from nuclear energy , and the scarcity of nuclear resources, the Japanese Government has established a policy of nuclear fuel cycle, whereby plutonium and other materials recovered by reprocessing of spent fuel are reused to secure a steady long-term source of energy. Japan believes that recycling limited nuclear resources will contribute to securingstrengthening a stable supply of nuclear energy, while Japan reassures that the amount of plutonium Japan possesses does not and will not exceed the amount necessary level for a rational and logical plan for its peaceful uses. This has been stipulated in Japan’s nuclear energy policy document called the “Long-Term Program for Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy”.

(Nuclear Safety and Security)

Madam Chairr. Chairman,

The peaceful uses of nuclear energy includes not only electric power generation but also the application of nuclear technology in such fields as human health, agriculture, industry and so on. It has become indispensable in our daily life. In order to ensure receiving the benefits broughtproduced by the peaceful uses of nuclear energy for present and future generations, the need for nuclear safety cannot be over-emphasized. One of the effective means to further enhance the level of safety amongin the member states is the peer review mechanism pursuant to the Convention on Nuclear Safety. Recognizing its value, Japan has been participating actively in this process with other like-minded contracting parties.

It is equally important for the sustenance of nuclear activities for peaceful usespurpose to take protective measures against nuclear terrorism, particularly after the terrorist attacks onof 11 September 11, 2001., against nuclear terrorism. In this connection, we welcome the recent adoption by consensus of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism at the United Nations General Assembly. We also welcome an enhanced momentum to amend the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material to expand its scope from international transport to inland transport, usage, storage, and nuclear facilities themselves. . This adoption demonstrated the solidarity of the international community against nuclear terrorism.

There has also been enhanced momentum to amend the Cconvention on the Pphysical Pprotection of Nuclear Material to expand its scope from international transport to inland transport, usage, storage, and nuclear facilities themselvesitself. Japan calls upon all States Parties to this Convention to participate inWe hope that the IAEA Conference of Plenipotentiaries scheduled to take place this July with a view toll successfully concludinge the negotiations. My Government also appreciates the efforts made by the IAEA in formulating the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources as well as the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources with a view to tightening control over radioactive sources and avoiding their diversion to “dirty bomb”.

with a sufficient number of state parties’ participation.

Considering its relative easiness of access and possible diversion to “dirty bomb”, management and control of radioactive sources is no less urgent than the protection of nuclear materials. In this respect, my Government appreciates the efforts made by the IAEA in formulating the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources as well as the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources. It willould be of growing importance to strengthen measures toward ensuring the implementation of the Ccode of Cconduct and the Guidance.

(Transport of Radioactive Materials)

Madame Chair,

Considering the uneven geographical distribution of resources in the world and specific technology possessed by a limited number of countries, Thetransport of radioactive materials is an essential element to reap the benefits from peaceful uses of nuclear energy. underpinningthat supports the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In this connectionTherefore, ensuring the safe and smooth transport of radioactive materials is important for all countries that support the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The maritime transport of radioactive materials to and fromrelating to Japan is carried out in accordance with the principles of international law, including maritime navigational rights and freedoms as provided for in international law. such asincluding the right of innocent passage through territorial waters and freedom of navigation on the high seas, including the exclusive economic zone. It has been conducted in a thoroughly safe manner over in the past thirty years, in strict conformity with international standards, such as the IAEA’s regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material, and those of IMO. established under the authority of competent international organizations, such as the IAEA and the IMO. In this connection, Japan has requested that the IAEA organize awe intend to accept the Transport Safety Appraisal Service (TranSAS) mission by the IAEAthis fiscal year, with a view to conductinghaving an objective assessment on Japan’s national regulations of transport safety. Japan has also attaches great importance to transparency and has, to the extent possible, provided information, on a voluntary basis, regarding its maritime transport, on a voluntary basis, to relevant coastal states, to the extent possible, fully taking into account, among other things, the requirements of physical protection. Japan has been making and will make every effort for enhancing understanding of coastal states on maritime transport. Japan hopes that an informal discussion on communication between shipping States and relevant coastal States will serve to that end.

(Multilateral Approaches to Nuclear Fuel Cycle: MNA )

Madame Chair,

Japan shares the view that the international nuclear non-proliferation regime needs to be urgently strengthened in order to maintain and improve the peace and stability of the international community. A strengthened regime is also vital for improving the security environment of Japan, which is directly faced with the threats posed by the nuclear programs of the DPRK. With regard to Multilateral Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (MNA), Japan appreciates the intensive efforts made by the International Expert Group to produce a report on this issue.

The report on the MNA, in order to maintain this momentum, suggests five possible approaches and and recommends that that attention be given to them be given to them by the IAEA Member States, by the IAEA itself, by the nuclear industry and by other nuclear organizations. Japan strongly believes that if further consideration is to be given made by the international community to on this issue, the following points, which were not sufficiently discussed by the International Expert Group, partly due to its limited mandate, should be fully discussed.

First, careful examination is necessary on how the MNA can contribute to the strengthening of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. In particular, it is necessary for us to examine very thoroughly whether and how the MNA will actually contribute to solving the issues of countries that have already violated their international obligations on non-proliferation, or of countries of proliferation concern. that may fall in violation in the future.

Second, it is also important to examine whether the MNA will not unduly affect the peaceful uses of nuclear energy by a non-nuclear-weapon State that carries out nuclear activities with the confidence of the international community by faithfully fulfilling its NPT obligations and by ensuring high transparency of its nuclear activities. The MNA should not affect the peaceful uses of nuclear energy by such a non-nuclear-weapon State, particularly when the State has ratified and is fully implementing both its comprehensive safeguards agreement and additional protocol, and, as a result, has been accorded a conclusion from the IAEA Secretariat that there has beenwas no indication of diversion of declared nuclear material placed under safeguards or of undeclared nuclear material and activities for the State as a whole.

Finally, more study needs to be done on how the MNA can actually guarantee supply of nuclear fuel and services, given the fact that the supply of nuclear fuel and services can be easily affected by the international political situation and is therefore unpredictable by nature. Of particular importance is the issue of how the IAEA could be an effective guarantor of nuclear fuel and services under such circumstances.

Japan strongly believes that if the international community agrees to continue the discussion on the MNA, the above-mentioned points should be addressed and thoroughly examined.

In this connection, with regard to a voluntary time-limited moratorium on new fuel cycle facilities that Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director-General of the IAEA, referred to in his statement at the opening session of the Conference, Japan is of the view that it is not an appropriate approach. While it is unrealistic to ensure the participation of all the states including states with proliferation concern in a moratorium and therefore it would not work in a way that contributes to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime, it is more likely to hamper the nuclear activities for peaceful uses based on a long-term program.

(Technical Cooperation)

Madame Chair,

The promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy through technical cooperation is an important responsibility of the States Pparties to the NPT. We recognize the important role played by technical cooperation activities through the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Program. The IAEA activities, not only in the field of nuclear power, but also in broader fields such as water, health, agriculture and industrial applications, will contribute to sustainable development. From this viewpoint, Japan will continue to take an active part in the international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy through various schemes, including the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) as well as the Forum foron Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA).

Madame Chair,

Attaching great importance to the technical cooperation program, Japan has consistently paid fully paid its share of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund and achieved a 100% “Rate of Attainment” since its foundation in 1959. Japan’s contribution to the fund, in effect, representsresults in more thannearly one fifth of the total Technical Cooperation FundProgram. We believe that all Member States should make every effort to contribute their full TCF target sharespay, on the basis of shared responsibility. We also encourage the IAEAAgency to manage and implement the Technical Cooperation program within utmost efficiency and effectiveness in meeting the expectations of the Member States.

(Withdrawal from the NPT)→（仮に主要委員Ⅲに落ちたらとい設定）

Madame Chair,

LastFinally, but not least, Japan takes the issue of withdrawal from the NPT extremely seriously. It should not be tolerated that a state withdraws from the Treaty after having developed nuclear weapon capabilities under false pretenses. Withdrawal of any state from the Treaty would significantly undermine the universality of the NPT and the confidence of the States Parties in the international nuclear non-proliferation regime based on the NPT. The States Parties should properly address this issue at thise 2005 Review Conference and reaffirm that a State Party which has withdrawn from the Treaty remains responsible for violations it committed while being a Party.

Japan believes that the most realisticbest way to deal with this issue is to deter withdrawal by making it more costly. A state withdrawing from the Treaty should not be allowed to make military use of nuclear capabilities acquired under the pretext of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, while being a party to the Treaty, by virtue of the Article IV of the Treaty.

In this regards, Japan also believes that the State Parties should urge any supplier country of the nuclear material, facilities, equipment etc. to make necessary arrangements in advance entitling it to require the return of any nuclear material, facilities, equipment etc. transferred prior to the withdrawal or their neutralization.

(Concluding Remarks)

Madame Chair,

Japan has benefited from a wide range of peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the most strictest IAEA safeguards. I should like to reiterate that tThe peaceful uses of nuclear energy must be carried out with the confidence of the international community by faithfully fulfilling under the NPT obligations with a high level of transparency and international confidence. The peaceful use of nuclear energy carried out in this manner should not be constrained without just reason. Japan will continue to support the activities of the IAEA based on these considerations.

Thank you, Madame Chair.