STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. MARI AMANO

AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN

TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

THE 1260^TH PLENARY MEETING　OF THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

“Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space”

GENEVA, 5 JUNE 2012

Mr. President,

I would like to thank you for giving me the floor during this important thematic debate. For many years now, the Government of Japan has been actively promoting the peaceful use of outer space, while in principle supports the idea of preventing an arms race in outer space (PAROS). From this viewpoint, Japan has been involved in the discussions on this agenda item within the CD, as well as various other international fora.

Mr. President,

While the importance of outer space use increases, it has become necessary to construct further norms, in addition to the existing international agreements and rules, including the Outer Space Treaty. Therefore, the efforts concerning the various proposals that are under discussion today should be welcomed as a positive signal in this direction. As our work in the CD will cover an extensive time period and will dictate the global orientation of outer space norms, we must, after due deliberation, forge something practical as well as universal that satisfies all nations. From this point of view, Japan is committed to comprehensively examining and discussing various issues related to the prevention of an arms race in outer space. In this connection, Japan considers that there are a number of issues that need to be carefully examined in the draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space (PPWT), jointly presented to the CD by China and Russia in 2008.

Against the backdrop of the growing reliance on outer space by our societies, space debris constitutes a threat to space activities and potentially limits the effective deployment and exploitation of associated space capabilities. As such, Japan regards discussions on possible measures to effectively ban ASAT that focuses on the safe operation of satellites, as an issue worthy of consideration in order to prevent the creation of further space debris.

Mr. President,

We also acknowledge that Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBM) are important elements for preventing an arms race in outer space. In January, Foreign Minister Gemba expressed Japan’s support for EU’s initiative, which is being formally launched in Vienna today, and its willingness to actively participate in the international discussion for the development of an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. We also hope that the Group of Governmental Experts that is to be set up in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities (A/RES/65/68) will produce effective measures that contribute to maintaining international peace and security, promoting international cooperation, and preventing an arms race in outer space.

I thank you. Mr. President.