Mr.
Chairman,
The
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime currently faces an array of
serious challenges. Firstly, the past outcomes on nuclear disarmament in the
NPT are not being sufficiently respected, and the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has not entered into force yet. Despite the
efforts of an overwhelming number of Conference on Disarmament members,
initiated by the Six Presidents, negotiations on a fissile material cut-off
treaty (FMCT) have yet to commence. Moreover, the October 2006 nuclear test by
the DPRK, in disregard of the collective demands of the international
community, has sent an extreme shockwave through the entire international
community. Despite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of
Governors' finding Iran in non-compliance with its safeguards agreement, and
the repeated calls for the suspension of all enrichment-related and
reprocessing activities through resolutions of the Board of Governors and the
UN Security Council, Iran has continued such nuclear activities.
Japan,
as the only nation to suffer the devastation of nuclear bombings, is immensely
distressed by this situation and appeals to all the NPT States Parties to unite
against these challenges with a real sense of urgency. To that end, it is
critical for all the NPT States Parties to implement and comply with all their
Treaty obligations with a renewed determination. We must return to the
fundamental concept incorporated in the NPT, which is that non-proliferation
and nuclear disarmament are both the indispensable wheels of a vehicle driving
towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
NPT, as its name will suggest, is the key legal document to the nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation regime, which aims to achieve the total
elimination of nuclear weapons while ensuring nuclear non-proliferation and
building confidence among states. Therefore, full implementation of the nuclear
non-proliferation obligations by the non-nuclear-weapon States is extremely
important as one of the pillars of the practical measures for the total
elimination of nuclear weapons. As Prime Minister Abe expressed, Japan
continues to maintain its Three Non-Nuclear Principles of not possessing,
manufacturing, or permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons to Japanese
territory, and thereby persists in its efforts to maintain international
confidence, including in our own region. We would like to stress that no NPT
States Party should neglect their efforts to build international confidence.
The countries found as non-compliant by the IAEA Board of Governors must make
the utmost efforts to return to a state of full compliance and then to restore
the confidence of the international community. This will build the confidence
of regional countries and contribute to regional security. In this regard, the
nuclear issues of the DPRK, which was found non-compliant with its IAEA
safeguards agreement, declared withdrawal from the NPT and went ahead with the
nuclear test in disregard of international appeals, are extremely grave
concerns to the security of Japan. We would like to discuss in detail nuclear
non-proliferation issues in Cluster II.
Mr.
Chairman,
On
the other hand, while strengthening trust between States, all the
nuclear-weapon States must to their utmost ability fully implement their
Article VI obligations and with new determination make greater efforts towards
nuclear disarmament in order for non-nuclear-weapon States to comply with their
non-proliferation obligations and to achieve nuclear non-proliferation. We will
make more detailed remarks on this subject in the special time for nuclear
disarmament and security assurances; nonetheless, Japan attaches great
importance to the following nuclear disarmament measures.
The
early entry into force of the CTBT and the immediate commencement of
negotiations on an FMCT are pressing issues. The nuclear-weapon States should
accelerate further nuclear disarmament measures on all types of nuclear
weapons. Past outcomes, in particular the "Principles and Objectives"
of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference and the Middle East Resolution, as
well as the results of the 2000 Review Conference including the 13 practical
steps must be respected and implemented to their fullest possible extent.
Although we should take into consideration that the security environment has
changed since those days, each country must strive to maintain their
"determination to eliminate nuclear weapons".
Mr.
Chairman,
The
G8 Global Partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass
destruction that remain in the Former Soviet Union is an important disarmament
and non-proliferation cooperative project contributing to nuclear disarmament
and non-proliferation. Following the dismantlement of a decommissioned Victor
III class nuclear submarine in December 2000, Japan decided in 2005 to
dismantle five more decommissioned submarines, and work on one of them has
already commenced. Furthermore, in 2006, Japan decided to cooperate in the
construction of an On-shore Storage Facility for Reactor Compartment at
Razboynik Bay.
Mr.
Chairman,
Until
all the counties join the NPT universalization will remain a top priority. In
this regard, we welcome the accession of Montenegro in June last year. Japan
reiterates its call for the non-NPT States Parties - India, Pakistan and Israel
- to accede promptly to the NPT as non-nuclear-weapon States without
conditions, and to bring into force the comprehensive safeguards agreement and
additional protocol. Additionally, pending their accession, we urge them to
refrain from any act that would defeat the objective and purpose of the Treaty
and to take practical steps in its support.
Thank
you, Mr. Chairman.