At The First
Committee of the 67th Session
of the General Assembly
- Thematic Debate:
Nuclear Weapons -
17 October
2012, New York
Mr. Chairman,
Japan strongly believes that the tragic consequences
caused by the use of nuclear weapons must never be repeated. And as the only country to have suffered from
atomic bombings, Japan has been engaged in practical and progressive efforts for a world without nuclear weapons.
As one of these ongoing efforts, Japan will once again be submitting to this Committee a draft
resolution on nuclear disarmament entitled “United action towards the total
elimination of nuclear weapons”. This resolution as in previous years
places emphasis on concrete and practical measures to be taken by the international
community to advance
nuclear disarmament. We hope all UN Member States support
it.
Mr. Chairman,
Japan welcomes the unilateral and bilateral measures taken over
the past few years by the nuclear-weapon states of France, the Russian
Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States to cut the size of their
nuclear arsenals. We encourage them not to
stop there, but to make further reductions in all types of nuclear weapons. In addition to such efforts, it is
indispensable for the nuclear-weapon states to pursue disarmament on a multilateral
basis in order to bring us closer to a nuclear weapon free world. Indeed, Action 5 of the 2010 NPT Action Plan
calls upon the nuclear-weapon states to promptly undertake a number of concrete
disarmament measures. In this regard, Japan
welcomes the P5 meetings, the most recent of which was held in Washington D.C. in
June, to build confidence amongst the five nuclear-weapon states. We hope that this
P5 process produces tangible outcomes in the future that will lead to global disarmament
on a multilateral basis.
When implementing nuclear disarmament measures, the principle of
transparency is crucial. The 2010 NPT
Final Document highlights the importance of enhanced mutual confidence through increased
transparency. It is for this reason that
the NPDI places its focus on this issue. As it is noted in the Joint Statement of its 5th
Ministerial Meeting held last month in New York, the NPDI developed a draft
reporting form, guided by Action 21 of the NPT Action Plan, and shared it with
the nuclear-weapon states. We also submitted
the reporting form to the First Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review
Conference held this year in Vienna as an annex to our working paper on
transparency. Japan hopes that the
NPDI’s input contributes to agreement by the nuclear-weapon states on a
standard reporting form and to appropriate reporting intervals.
At the same time as the nuclear-weapon states carry out their
activities, the non-states parties to the NPT should not remain inactive. Japan urges these states to accede to the NPT
as non-nuclear-weapon states promptly and without conditions.
Mr. Chairman,
Japan is convinced that an FMCT is the next logical step towards nuclear disarmament. It is thus deeply regrettable that there are no emerging prospects in the Conference on Disarmament of negotiations commencing on such a
treaty. Therefore, while continuing
our efforts to start negotiations within the CD, Japan believes that seeking another
solution that will lead to
negotiations is worth considering. As a member of NPDI, Japan strongly supports
the Canadian efforts this year to break through the current situation by
presenting once more a resolution on FMCT to the General Assembly. In the meantime, until the conclusion and
entry into force of an FMCT, Japan calls upon all the states possessing nuclear
weapons to declare and maintain a moratorium on the production of fissile
materials for nuclear weapons purposes.
Along with an FMCT, the CTBT also needs to be
brought into force as soon as possible. Consequently,
Japan welcomes the ratification of the CTBT by
Indonesia and Guatemala in
2012. We have
seized every occasion to urge all non-states parties, particularly the remaining eight Annex II states, to promptly sign and ratify the CTBT, and we intend to continue these activities. In this regard, last month Japan together with
other “Friends of the CTBT” countries and the coordinators of “the Conference
on Facilitating Entry into Force of the CTBT”, organized the 6th
CTBT Ministerial Meeting wherein a joint ministerial statement calling for
early entry into force was adopted. Pending
the entry into force of the treaty, it is important for all the states
possessing nuclear weapons to respect the moratorium on nuclear test
explosions.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones in accordance with the 1999 UNDC
Guidelines helps to contribute to global and regional peace and security. In this context, Japan supports the convening
of the 2012 Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of
nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction which was agreed to at
the 2010 NPT Review Conference. We commend
the facilitator for his efforts to consult broadly with all relevant
stakeholders to prepare the ground for a successful conference. We call upon all parties in the Middle East to
participate in the spirit of genuine and constructive cooperation. Meanwhile, we hope the nuclear-weapon states
sign and ratify the Protocol of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon Free Zone
Treaty at an early date.
Mr. Chairman,
In parallel with
nuclear disarmament, it is important to strengthen and maintain nuclear
non-proliferation in order to enhance peace and security. Accordingly, the full implementation of
nuclear non-proliferation obligations by every state is vital.
The nuclear issues related to the DPRK and Iran pose a serious
challenge to the peace and stability of their regions as well as the entire
international community. Japan strongly urges the DPRK abandon all
its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs, including uranium enrichment
activities in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The DPRK must immediately comply fully with
its obligations and commitments under relevant United Nations Security Council
resolutions and the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. With
regard to Iran’s nuclear issue, Japan urges Iran to comply fully and without
delay with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions as
well as the requirements of the IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and to
fully cooperate with the IAEA in order to resolve all outstanding issues,
including those related to the possible military dimensions of its nuclear program.
Mr. Chairman,
As way of
conclusion, allow me to reiterate that Japan is
fully committed to achieving a peaceful and secure world free of nuclear
weapons. We intend to continue to
steadily promote effective measures for global nuclear disarmament and
non-proliferation in close cooperation with other UN Member States.
Thank you.