Points made by Mr. Hisao Yamaguchi

Alternate Representative of Japan

on Cluster 3 (Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy)

New York, 14 May 1999

　

　

1.　 My delegation recognises the importance of promoting co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the NPT framework.　Japan respects fully the spirit and letter of the NPT in this regard, and will continue to contribute to the promotion of such co-operation through bilateral and multilateral channels.

　

2.　 The Preparatory Committee may wish to note the successful achievements made through the IAEA's Technical Co-operation Programmes.　As regards the financing of Technical Co-operation Programmes, Japan is a major contributor and is proud of its record of full payment to the Technical Co-operation Fund (TCF) since its establishment.

　

　　Some delegations nevertheless expressed concerns about budgetary constraint of the Technical Co-operation Fund (TCF).　Although such concerns are to be dealt with seriously in the Agency's deliberations, my delegation considers that, first of all, more care should be taken to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of each project to be undertaken in this framework.

　

　　My delegation is interested in the application of the "due account" principle to encourage the payment of TCF contributions and assessed programme costs, as well as eligibility criteria.

　

3.　 My delegation wishes to emphasise the need for ensuring safety in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The international mechanisms maintaining the safety standards and promoting a nuclear safety culture also play important roles.　My delegation takes note with satisfaction of the successful result of the recent review meeting of the Nuclear Safety Convention and hopes that each participating party of the meeting will evaluate the lessons learned from the review process.

　

　　My delegation also wishes to reiterate our support for the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, which we hope will achieve and maintain a high level of safety management standard world-wide.

　

4.　 While we should actively promote the cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology, that must be coupled with a sufficient care in preventing the use of such technology for the development and production of nuclear weapons. In this context, my delegation would like to emphasise again the importance of the work of nuclear-related export control regime such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Zangger Committee. We urge non-NSG countries again to adhere to the NSG Guidelines.

　

5.　 Some delegations expressed their concerns with the maritime transport of nuclear materials.

　

　 It is important that such transportation be conducted in a safe and secure manner and in compliance with the safety standards of the IAEA and the IMO.　Japan has always adhered to those standards in carrying out the transportation of such materials and never had any accident whatsoever.　It is my delegation's view that such safety standard regulations should not impinge upon the established rights and freedoms of navigation, as provided for by the applicable rules of international law.