Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshiki Mine

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Head of the Delegation of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

on

Nuclear Disarmament

at

The Sixth United Nations Conference on Disarmament Issues in Kyoto

“The United Nations after Six Decades and Renewed Efforts for the Promotion of Disarmament”

Kyoto, Japan

Chairperson,

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the sponsors of this Conference for the kind invitation extended to me to speak today on the topic of nuclear disarmament.

(Evaluation of the last Review Conference)

States Parties held high expectations for the last Review Conference to put forward concrete disarmament measures and to send out a strong message to the international community to reinforce the NPT regime. This message was reiterated by Japan’s Foreign Minister during the Conference. Despite every effort made by States Parties and Chairpersons, the Conference was regrettably unable to produce a final consensus document on substantive issues.

It is worth noting, however, that many proposals were submitted by State Parties, including Japan’s contribution, “21 Measures for the 21^st Century,” containing concrete measures for strengthening the NPT. These proposals, together with the ensuing intensive exchange of views, constitute invaluable material for our future work to strengthen the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

(Strengthening the NPT regime)

The NPT regime is, now more than ever, of immense importance to international peace and security. Each and every State Party should redouble its efforts to strengthen the NPT regime by steadily implementing concrete disarmament and non-proliferation measures. The lack of an agreed substantive document at the last Review Conference must not erode the authority and credibility of the Treaty. Both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States must implement their obligations and commitments under the Treaty in good faith, and promote both nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, which are mutually reinforcing.

(Non-States Parties)

The states remaining outside the NPT which are developing or suspected of developing nuclear weapons risk sending out erroneous messages to NPT States Parties, suggesting there are benefits to remaining outside the Treaty. These non-States Parties should keep in mind their political responsibility, as members of the international community, to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. In cooperating with these countries in the field of nuclear energy, States Parties must carefully consider the implications of such cooperation on the credibility of the NPT regime and nuclear non-proliferation. States Parties should continue to call upon these non-NPT States to accede to the Treaty as non-nuclear-weapon States, while urging them to refrain from acts which would defeat the object and purpose of the Treaty and to implement practical measures towards disarmament and non-proliferation.

(Promotion of nuclear disarmament)

In order to realize a peaceful and safe world free of nuclear weapons, all states must renew their determination toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons and strive to take further practical measures for disarmament. Nuclear-weapon States should take seriously the commitment made to date by nearly all countries to renounce the option of nuclear armament under the NPT regime and, recalling the 1995 decision on “Principles and Objectives” and the 2000 Final Document, demonstrate their intention to fulfill their pledge for nuclear disarmament.

The efforts of the nuclear-weapon States to reduce their nuclear arsenals should be duly appreciated. Japan highly values the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions (Moscow Treaty) as a significant step toward further reduction in Russian and US strategic nuclear warheads. Japan encourages both Russia and the US 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.

Japan also calls upon all nuclear-weapon States to take further steps towards nuclear disarmament with greater transparency and in an irreversible and verifiable manner, including deeper reductions in all types of nuclear weapons and restraint of further reinforcement of these weapons.

Japan has been emphasizing the importance of the early entry into force of the CTBT, as well as the immediate commencement of FMCT negotiations, as concrete steps toward nuclear disarmament. Although the number of countries which have ratified the CTBT has been steadily increasing thanks to contributions made by various states including Japan, strenuous efforts must be continued to achieve our ultimate goal. As for the FMCT, Japan is determined to continue to push for action on this issue in the Conference on Disarmament (CD), despite the NPT Review Conference’s inability to produce any substantial outcome on this matter.

(Japan’s approach to nuclear disarmament)

Japan’s fundamental position on nuclear disarmament places great importance on the realization of a peaceful and safe world free of nuclear weapons through the steady implementation of concrete measures. This practical and incremental approach toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons has been reflected in our draft resolutions on nuclear disarmament, submitted annually to the UNGA since 1994, which have enjoyed overwhelming support from the international community.

Japan will submit a draft resolution on nuclear disarmament again this year. Although there is no change in our fundamental position, on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of not only the atomic bombings, but also the establishment of the United Nations, we have decided to review and restructure our previous resolutions. We hope for even greater support for this revised resolution through which we reiterate our renewed determination and unfailing commitment toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Each year different nuclear disarmament resolutions have been submitted to the UNGA by different countries or groups of countries, such as the NAC, the NAM, and Japan. While these resolutions may differ in their approach toward nuclear disarmament, all share the common goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. A strong momentum could be created if all non-nuclear-weapon States were to solidify their efforts to promote nuclear disarmament toward this common goal.

(Civil society and disarmament and non-proliferation education)

This year, marking the 60^th anniversary of the tragic atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the citizens of Japan and the international community have strengthened their call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Japan, as the only country to have ever experienced nuclear devastation, has a special responsibility to inform the international community of the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons as well as the reality of their devastating effects. The average age of “hibakusha” (atomic bomb victims) is now over 73, and sharing their experiences is becoming more and more difficult.

It is therefore essential to gain the understanding and support of young people, who will lead the future generation, and of civil society as a whole. Japan places utmost importance on disarmament and non-proliferation education and has been making various efforts in this field with the invaluable support of the NGO community. This Conference, held every year in a different Japanese city, is just one example of how advocacy can be meaningfully implemented.

(Closing)

In the light of the serious challenges the international community is facing today, such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missiles, further reinforcing the NPT regime is imperative. The period leading up to the next Review Conference is of crucial significance. With the determination that nuclear devastation never be repeated, all states should renew their commitment toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons and unite as one to turn this commitment into a concrete reality as we work toward universal nuclear disarmament.

Thank you very much.