Mr.
Chairman,
Japan
is of the view that the issue of withdrawal from the NPT is highly important.
If the withdrawal of a State from the NPT is disregarded after it has clandestinely
acquired the capability to produce nuclear weapons, in addition to causing
regional and international security concerns, it could seriously affect the
universality of the Treaty and the confidence in the international nuclear
non-proliferation regime based on the NPT.
The
issue of withdrawal requires an expeditious response, and amending the Treaty
is not a realistic option. Japan believes that the best approach to deterring
withdrawal is to raise the costs associated with such actions, alongside efforts
to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, whilst ensuring nuclear
non-proliferation. The States Party to the NPT should promptly agree to
concrete measures for raising the costs of withdrawal, thereby developing a
mechanism for handling this issue appropriately.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
announcement of withdrawal from the NPT by the DPRK in January 2003 triggered
the active discussions from the Second session of the Preparatory Committee for
the 2005 NPT Review Conference in the same year. Discussions subsequently
continued at the Third session of the Preparatory Committee and in the
Subsidiary Body of Main Committee III at the Review Conference. The subject of
withdrawal was a good instance of how discussions can be deepened in the NPT
review process through the submission of concrete proposals from the States
Parties and the active exchange of views. Although it was unfortunate that the
2005 Review Conference failed to agree on a substantive document, Japan highly
valued the constructive and useful discussions achieved under the Chairman of
the Subsidiary Body of Main Committee III, Ambassador Labbé of Chile. We
believe that the Chairman's proposal, which summarized the results of these
discussions, would serve as a useful ground work for future deliberations.
Mr.
Chairman,
Japan
is encouraged that as an outcome of the discussions to date concerning measures
to prevent withdrawal that might lead to development of nuclear weapons, the
importance of the following points have been shared by the States Parties. Each
of them includes elements of our proposal submitted in 2005, and even though
they do not reflect our position on specific cases, I would like to emphasize
the importance of those measures for raising the costs of withdrawal.
Firstly,
a State that has withdrawn from the NPT remains responsible for any violations
it committed while a Party to the Treaty. This is also self-evident from the
view point of international law.
Secondly,
a State that has withdrawn from the Treaty, is not allowed to use nuclear
material, facilities and technologies for any other purpose than peaceful one
that it has imported from another State Party under the pretext of peaceful use
while a Party to the Treaty.
Thirdly,
to ensure the second point, it is important that any supplier country of
nuclear material, facilities and technologies, makes the necessary arrangements
so that nuclear material, facilities and technologies transferred prior to the
State's withdrawal from the NPT have to be retrieved from the withdrawing Party
or neutralized. Furthermore, the possibility of maintaining the application of
IAEA safeguards after withdrawal must be examined.
Additionally,
discussion on the following points that took place from the viewpoint of
avoiding withdrawal need to be further deepened in future.
Firstly,
discussions were carried out on the need to elaborate procedural steps of
withdrawal, such as a "notification of withdrawal". In this
connection, there was a view that such elaboration must not constitute a manual
or roadmap for withdrawal. Japan believes the measures to be taken by the
States Parties must serve as an effective deterrence to withdrawal.
Secondly,
discussions were carried out on a consultation mechanism among the States
Parties to seek a reconsideration of the decision by a State Party expressing
its intention to withdraw from the Treaty. We believe there is shared
recognition of the importance of such consultations, but there are a variety of
ideas with respect to concrete measures, such as consultations by the depository
states, convening extraordinary meetings of the States Parties and regional
initiatives. Japan in this regard holds the view that a flexible and
case-specific approach is suitable.
Thirdly,
there were also valuable discussions on the role of the United Nations Security
Council, with respect to the issue of withdrawal. As a concrete proposal, it
was put forward that when any State gives notice of withdrawal, the UN Security
Council should convene automatically and immediately; or inspection to verify
the withdrawing State's compliance with the Treaty be implemented by way of a
UN Security Council decision. Since withdrawal is an issue that can deeply
affect international peace and security in general, we believe there is a
shared view among the States Parties that involvement of the UN Security
Council is vital. We need to be mindful, however, that the feasibility of such
a proposal depends largely on the intentions of the UN Security Council.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
issue of withdrawal is one of the most important matters of the current review
process. Japan is convinced that if we agree to concrete measures it would
significantly contribute to the strengthening of confidence in the NPT regime.
Based on the results so far achieved, Japan will participate proactively in the
discussions to forge a meaningful agreement at the 2010 Review Conference.
Thank
you.