Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshiki MINE

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

Geneva

June 23rd 2005

Mr. President,

Japan’s efforts for nuclear disarmament is expressed in our resolution submitted to the First Committee of the General Assembly, namely “A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons.”

Some progress has been made in the field of nuclear disarmament. Japan highly values the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions (the Moscow Treaty) and encourages both Russia and the United States to work towards its full implementation and to consider building on the Treaty to realize further reductions by recognizing it as a basis for the future, not an end in itself.. There is, however, a need for more transparency and steady progress in the process of nuclear disarmament.

It is extremely regrettable that the NPT Review Conference did not agree on any substantial document. It was an important opportunity to move forward in the area of nuclear disarmament.

The CD, now, should continue to play a pivotal role to achieve concrete disarmament measures, and Japan supports the establishment of an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament in conformity with paragraph 2 of document CD/1693/rev.1, as specified in the Food for thought paper drafted by the Netherlands Presidency.

Taking related factors into account, Japan is considering redrafting its First Committee resolution this year with fresh eyes, and we would like to call for the support and cooperation on a national basis, regardless of the existing group settings, of all like-minded States that can share our views expressed in the draft resolution.

Thank you.