Mr.
Chairman,
In
cluster III, I would like to discuss briefly Japan's views regarding the
peaceful application of nuclear technology.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
peaceful use of nuclear energy is one of the three main pillars of the NPT,
together with the prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons and the
pursuit of nuclear disarmament. As a country with almost no indigenous energy,
Japan has highly valued the benefits of nuclear energy and established a policy
of nuclear fuel cycle, whereby plutonium and other materials recovered by
reprocessing spent fuel are reused to secure a steady long-term source of
energy.
Mr.
Chairman,
In
recent years, against the background of energy security and global warming
concerns, the role of nuclear energy has been reappraised, and the promotion of
nuclear energy has gained momentum across the world. A number of countries
intend to introduce or expand nuclear power plants, which has been described as
a "Nuclear Renaissance". In the meantime, due to the dual nature of
nuclear energy, it is most indispensable that the use of nuclear energy be
promoted in a manner that ensures nuclear non-proliferation, safety and
security. In this respect, Japan emphasizes the importance of the IAEA's role
in ensuring non-proliferation of nuclear material in a State through
application of safeguards, including the Additional Protocol, as well as in
promoting peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Japan
shares the view that the international nuclear non-proliferation regime needs
to be urgently strengthened as demonstrated by the nuclear issues of the DPRK
and Iran. In this context, various proposals have been made to reinforce the
nuclear non-proliferation regime, as well as to promote peaceful uses of
nuclear energy.
These
include the MNA (Multilateral Nuclear Approaches) proposed by the IAEA Director
General, the Russian initiative on international centers to provide nuclear
fuel cycle services, and the six-nation initiative on multilateral mechanism
for reliable access to nuclear fuel.
Japan,
on its part, proposed an "IAEA Standby Arrangements System for the
Assurance of Nuclear Fuel Supply" at the IAEA General Conference Special
Event in September last year with a view to complementing the six-nation
initiative. This System covers not only uranium enrichment but all phases of
the whole front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, so that many countries will be
able to participate under certain conditions and to make contributions.
I
understand that the IAEA is currently examining some key points for further
discussion. Japan will continue to actively take part in, and contribute to
international discussions at the IAEA and other fora in a constructive manner.
The
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) proposed by the United States is
another important initiative to expand nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
worldwide in a safe and secure manner, while reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.
Japan is one of the first countries that expressed strong support for this
initiative and will continue to contribute to its realization and success.
Mr.
Chairman,
Japan
has long attached great importance to nuclear safety, and strived to address
particular safety issues and enhance safety culture in general. Of particular
note among Japan's contributions are its long-time support for Chernobyl safety
enhancement projects through the Nuclear Safety Account (NSA) and the Chernobyl
Shelter Fund (CSF). Japan contributed US$31 million to the NSA and pledged to
pay US$55 million to the CSF. Moreover, Japan has contributed to the
formulation of the Asian Nuclear Safety Network (ANSN) in tandem with the IAEA.
Given that a number of Asian countries now intend to introduce nuclear power
plants, Japan believes that more attention needs to be paid to enhancing
nuclear safety in Asian region.
Mr.
Chairman,
In
relation to the importance of nuclear safety, I would like to briefly mention
the issue of transport of radioactive materials.
Considering
the uneven geographical distribution of resources in the world and specific
technology possessed by a limited number of countries, transport of radioactive
materials is an essential element to reaping the benefits from peaceful uses of
nuclear energy. In this connection, 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 from Japan is carried out in
accordance with the principles of international law, including maritime
navigational rights and freedoms. It has been conducted in a thoroughly safe
manner over the past thirty years, in strict conformity with international
standards. In this connection, Japan received an IAEA Transport Safety
Appraisal Service (TranSAS) mission in December 2005, and is pleased with the
mission's conclusion that relevant Japanese regulations on the transport of
radioactive materials are being enforced in accordance with IAEA requirements.
Japan continues to make every effort to further improve safety in this regard.
Furthermore,
Japan has been making every effort to enhancing understanding of coastal States
on maritime transport, and is pleased that discussions on communication between
shipping States and coastal States have made significant progress recently. We
are certain that a cooperative spirit on the part of both the coastal and the
shipping sides will continue to prevail as is requested by the IAEA General
Conference resolution adopted in September 2006.
Mr.
Chairman,
Nuclear
security also constitutes an important building block that demands serious
attention for ensuring peaceful use of nuclear energy. Events of September 11th
incited the sense of urgency for the need of combating nuclear terrorism.
In
this respect, Japan calls on all States that have yet to do so to become
parties, as soon as practicable, to the two universal instruments for combating
nuclear terrorism; namely, the International Convention for the Suppression of
Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical
Protection of Nuclear Material including its amendment.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
IAEA has an essential role to play in the field of nuclear security. It has
significant programmes financed through its Nuclear Security Fund. The Agency
also serves as the focal point for coordinating various international efforts
to enhancing nuclear security worldwide. Japan has therefore contributed to the
Nuclear Security Fund, including its recent voluntary contribution of around
US$150,000 in March this year.
Japan
also welcomes the launch of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism proposed
jointly by President Bush of the United States of America and President Putin
of the Russian Federation last year. Japan regards this initiative as a
significant vehicle for the enhancement of nuclear security worldwide and will
continue to participate positively in activities to be undertaken under the
initiative.
The
peaceful uses of nuclear energy include not only electric power generation but
also the application of nuclear technology in such fields as human health,
agriculture, and so on. Given that "Human Security" is now one of the
key perspectives of Japan's foreign policy, Japan places the highest priority
on human health, in particular fighting cancer by using radiation medicine techniques
in relation to the applications of nuclear Technology. Japan, therefore, is
taking the role of lead country for human health in the RCA (Regional
Cooperative Agreement for Asia and the Pacific) thematic sector, and has
contributed to the PACT (Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy), in the amount
of around US$350,000 in 2006. We hope that PACT will be developed steadily and
will achieve success in enhancing human fulfillment.
International
technical cooperation in the area of the peaceful use of nuclear technology
plays a key role in achieving the goal of the NPT. Japan has been a major
contributor to the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund and, since 1959, has paid
its share of TCF in full. Japan urges the IAEA Member States to pay in full and
on time their respective shares of the TCF targets, on the basis of shared
responsibility. Japan firmly believes that the IAEA Member States and
Secretariat should make efforts to ensure that the Technical Cooperation
Program is implemented more effectively, with more efficient management by the
IAEA Secretariat.
Mr.
Chairman,
Japan
would like to reiterate that nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security are
the issues that the international community has to address thoroughly. The
peaceful uses of nuclear energy also must be carried out with the confidence of
the international community by faithfully fulfilling NPT obligations with a
high level of transparency. In this regard, Japan is pleased that it has become
the first case in which integrated safeguards are implemented to a State with
large-scale nuclear activities, based on the IAEA conclusion about the peaceful
nature of Japan's nuclear activities.
Japan
will continue to work together with the international community to make every
effort to ensure the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Thank
you, Mr. Chairman.