Statement by Ambassador Mitsuru Kitano,

Director-General, Disarmament, Non-proliferation and Science Department,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

at the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT

- Cluster II -

Geneva, 26 April 2013

Mr. Chairman,

At the last NPT Review Conference in 2010, it was recognized that the inalienable right of all the parties to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes constitutes one of the fundamental objectives of the Treaty. At the same time, to our deep regret, the challenges of nuclear proliferation continue to persist, or even have become more prominent, in several regions. This being the case, Japan believes that robust non-proliferation efforts by the international community as a whole are imperative so that we can promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy while minimizing the threats posed by nuclear proliferation. To this end, Japan supports the strengthening of the IAEA safeguards system and of export controls as well as regional efforts to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones.

Mr. Chairman,

The IAEA safeguards system is the fundamental element of the global non-proliferation regime. It underpins the international security environment and provides the basis for nuclear cooperation. Japan will continue to promote the universalization of comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols. The full implementation of these instruments will provide credible assurances regarding a country’s nuclear activities, and thus enhance transparency and build confidence.

Japan, recalling Actions 28 and 29 agreed to at the last NPT Review Conference in 2010, welcomes the fact that the number of states with an additional protocol in force increased from 101 to 119 during the three years since that Conference. Japan highly values the efforts made by the IAEA in this regard. This trend of wider adherence to additional protocols makes it more convincing that the IAEA safeguards reinforced by the additional protocol should be the safeguards standard in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article III of the NPT. In this connection and mindful of Action 37, Japan calls on all states to apply this safeguards standard (i.e. a comprehensive safeguards agreement reinforced by an additional protocol) as a condition for supplying nuclear material, equipment and technology to a recipient country, and to incorporate this condition in their civil nuclear cooperation agreements.

Japan will continue to actively assist other states in their efforts to conclude additional protocols by sharing our knowledge and experience and by working together with the IAEA and other states.

Japan, recalling Action 30 of the last Review Conference, supports the widest possible application of IAEA safeguards to peaceful nuclear facilities in the nuclear weapon states to ensure irreversible and verifiable removal of nuclear material designated by them as no longer required for military purposes. Japan is committed to the working paper on this matter submitted to this Prep Com by the NPDI (Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative) and welcomes other states supporting the elements of this working paper.

Japan considers it imperative that, as agreed in Action 33 of the last NPT Review Conference, all States provide support to the IAEA so that the IAEA is able to maintain sufficient capabilities to fully discharge its responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner.

Mr. Chairman,

Export controls play a critical role in meeting the nuclear non-proliferation obligations prescribed in paragraph 2 of Article III of the NPT. Given the necessity of counter-terrorism measures and the increasing complexity of illicit procurement activities, the strengthening of export control systems has become an urgent matter for all of us. In this context, Japan urges all State parties to establish and implement effective export controls to prevent the illicit transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use materials, equipment and tangible as well as intangible technologies. Japan will continue to actively assist other states in their efforts to strengthen export control systems through information sharing and capacity building activities such as the Asian Export Control Seminar held annually in Japan since 1993.

Japan, recalling Action 36 of the last NPT Review Conference, encourages State parties to refer to, and align with, the multilaterally negotiated and agreed-upon guidelines and understandings on export controls. Japan is of the view that states that utilize and align with existing guidelines such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines and the Zangger Committee Trigger List, actually find merit in enhancing their export transparency and competitiveness.

Japan supports the practical steps set forth in the working paper on export controls submitted to this Prep Com by the NPDI and welcomes other states supporting the elements of this working paper.

Mr. Chairman,

Ensuring proactive cooperation among all State parties is a key element in effectively countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including proliferation to non-state actors. To this end, Japan wishes to highlight the importance of fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, and will continue to support its smooth implementation through the work of the UNSCR 1540 committee, and through engagement in various regional seminars and workshops.

Mr. Chairman,

Regarding the establishment of further nuclear-weapon-free zones, as called for in Action 9 of the 2010 NPT Final Document, Japan believes that this should be pursued on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among States of the region concerned, and in accordance with the 1999 Guidelines of the United Nations Disarmament Commission. The establishment of such zones, where appropriate, would contribute to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and global and regional peace and security. Japan hopes that all nuclear weapon states that have not yet done so make every effort to sign and ratify the protocols of existing treaties on nuclear-weapon-free zones.

Japan also supports the Resolution on the Middle East and efforts made by Ambassador Jaakko Laajava, the facilitator for the conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. The Japanese delegation will make a separate statement on this important issue on Monday.

Thank you.

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