Statement by H.E. Mr. Sumio Tarui

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

The nuclear test by the DPRK

Geneva, 26 May 2009

Yesterday, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced that it had succeeded in conducting an underground nuclear test. A nuclear test by the DPRK, combined with its buildup of ballistic missiles that could serve as the means to deliver weapons of mass destruction, constitutes a grave threat to the security of Japan, seriously undermines the peace and security of North East Asia and the world, and is totally unacceptable. Japan strongly protests and resolutely condemns this nuclear test. Such behavior is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolution 1718 of 14 October 2006 and is a grave challenge to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

The members of the Security Council have decided to start working immediately on a Security Council resolution concerning this matter. Japan will contribute proactively to the discussions in the Security Council as well as other fora together with the international community, in particular the members of the Six-Party Talks. Furthermore, Japan demands that the DPRK fully comply with its obligations under UN Security Council resolution 1718 and other relevant resolutions and statements.