Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshiki Mine

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan

To the Conference on Disarmament

Eighth Annual Conference of the States Parties to Amended Protocol II to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects

Geneva, 6 November 2006

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished delegates,

Firstly, allow me to extend my warmest congratulations to you Mr. Chairman, on your assumption of the chairmanship of this Eighth Annual Conference of Amended Protocol II. I assure you of my delegations full support of your activities during this important Conference.

Mr. Chairman,

From the viewpoint that resolving the humanitarian suffering caused by anti-personnel landmines necessitates a universal ban of such weapons, Japan places great importance on the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (the Ottawa Treaty) and has been actively working to encourage those States who have not yet done so to join the Convention. On the other hand, it is also our belief that Amended Protocol II, which restricts the use and transfer of anti-personnel mines, displays a realistic and logical approach to alleviating the humanitarian problems caused by such landmines. In this connection, we call on those countries that are experiencing difficulty acceding to the Ottawa Treaty, to first examine joining Amended Protocol II and participate in the international process to reduce the humanitarian suffering caused by landmines.

Mr. Chairman,

In December 2007, the deferral of the implementation of detectability and active life requirements for anti-personnel landmines will expire. While it is important that all States Parties implement the obligations they have committed themselves to after the expiration, we hope the countries that have taken the deferral option share the information about where they stand in the process of implementation.

Mr. Chairman,

Over the past years, Japan has been actively supporting the mine action such as mine clearance in affected countries. In particular, while Amended Protocol �U describes that technological cooperation and assistance, Japan is carrying out a joint government, industry, university and civil society initiative for the development of mine detection and clearance equipment for the purpose of promoting mine clearance activities. Japan continues these efforts to alleviate harm caused by landmines through such a support measure.

Mr. Chairman,

The significance of Amended Protocol II is not limited to the restriction or ban on the use and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, but also to mines-other-than-anti-personnel-mines (MOTAPM), booby traps and other devices. In particular, as we have been discussing the issue of MOTAPM in the CCW for years, I would like to emphasize that the new regulations on MOTAPM must strengthen Amended Protocol II, and by no means, weakning of Amended Protocol �U through the new regulations is not appropriate.

Mr. Chairman,

Lastly, allow me to conclude by saying that for the purpose of mitigating the damage caused by explosive devices, all States Parties should reaffirm the significance of this protocol which regulates not only landmines but also MOTAPM and other devices and make efforts toward its steady implementation and further universalization.

Thank you.