(95.06.12)村山総理UN軍縮長崎会議

　 It is indeed my great pleasure and honour to have this opportunity to address the United Nations Nagasaki Conference on Disarmament Issues, which is held in the year marking both the fifty-year anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the fiftieth year since the end of World War II.

　 First of all, allow me to pay tribute to all the staff members of the United Nations Secretariat, Nagasaki Prefecture, and Nagasaki City for their tireless efforts to prepare for this Conference, and I wholeheartedly welcome all the distinguished guests and participants who gathered here today.

　 Considering the significance of this Conference, I thought it appropriate to make this speech on behalf of the Government of Japan. I would like to hereby present to you my thoughts on disarmament in accordance with the theme of this Conference, namely, "disarmament in the past half century and its future prospect." I shall be grateful if my speech will make a contribution toward stimulating your own vigorous discussions in the coming days.

　 Fifty years ago, our predecessors learned invaluable lessons from the catastrophe of World War II, which brought untold sorrow to humankind, whereby they sought to found the United Nations, one of the main objectives being maintaining international peace and security and developing friendly relations among nations. Shortly after those early days, however, the world marched into the "Cold War", and regrettably, the nuclear arms race was carried on so fiercely that nuclear weapons that could destroy the entire human race many times over were brought into existence on this earth. It was not until the second half of the 1980s that we could at last witness the emerging trend of nuclear disarmament replacing that of the nuclear arms race.

　 The end of the Cold War, symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, has strengthened this new trend of nuclear disarmament and has given us a chance to expedite it. This was clearly demonstrated by the introduction of a moratorium on nuclear tests and the start of negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty (CTBT). The era of the Cold War is now over, but many problems are now weighing upon us such as the escalation of regional conflicts, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology, and the excessive accumulation of conventional arms, as manifested by the Gulf Crisis and the conflict in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Our urgent task is to tackle these problems.

　 Under such circumstances, we must recognize that the present age has been transformed from being the "era of slogans in disarmament" to the " era of actions in disarmament." We should also be aware that, in order to carry out the actual of disarmament as we near the 21st century, the wisdom and intelligence of each and every individual is now required more than ever. Bearing this in mind, I would like to deliberate on some aspects of disarmament.

　 From the view of strengthening the basis of the non-proliferation regime, we welcome the decision to indefinitely extend the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which was made at the recent NPT Review and Extension Conference held in New York. This decision, however, means not "the end" of a process but "the beginning" of a new age of disarmament. As you may already know, in addition to the decision on this indefinite extension, two other decisions were made at the same time : one on "strengthening the review process for the Treaty" and the other on "principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament." These decisions indicate a path leading to this new age of disarmament ahead of us.

　 As regards nuclear disarmament, the nuclear weapon states enjoying special status in the NPT bear the responsibility of upholding the confidence placed upon them by the non-nuclear weapon states. Since all the nuclear weapon states have obligations to seriously carry out nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, I would like to hereby make a fervent appeal to these nations to fulfill their obligations in a faithful manner.

　 To the United States and the Russian Federation, in particular, I would like to express my earnest hope for the earliest entry into force of START II and for further substantial reduction of their nuclear arsenals. In the context of substantial development of nuclear disarmament, the actual work of dismantling nuclear weapons is also a crucial issue that the international community has to deal with. Above all, regarding assistance in destroying such weapons in the countries of the former Soviet Union, it is necessary for the United States and Japan as well as other nations to promote positive cooperation toward this goal.

　 Next, in the field of multilateral negotiations of nuclear disarmament, it was agreed upon to complete negotiations on a comprehensive test ban treaty by the end of 1996 at the latest. A CTBT would be a great step toward creation of a world free from the fear of nuclear weapons. Japan has been contributing to the utilization of seismology in verification and we are determined to continue to make our utmost efforts toward the completion of negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Once a CTBT is agreed upon, Japan is prepared to make the utmost efforts to ensure accession to the treaty by as many nations as possible.

　 I am of the view that it is necessary to deepen discussions among the nations concerned on what future disarmament ought to be as we near the 21st century. To this end, I hereby propose, as one of Japan's efforts, to convene in Japan a "seminar on nuclear disarmament after the extension of the NPT" at an appropriate time next year. The holding of such a seminar would, in my opinion, not only enhance the awareness of nations on the current issue of CTBT but also serve as a meaningful step toward a smooth start of the preparatory work for the next NPT Review Conference in the year 2000.

　 Here, I would like to re-affirm Japan's strong belief that any and all nuclear testing must stop. Upon this firm belief, I reiterate our fervent appeal to the nuclear weapon states to cease their nuclear testing. The People's Republic of China conducted a nuclear test once again last month immediately after the decision on the indefinite extension of the NPT. Japan deeply regrets their action and strongly urges China not to repeat any nuclear testing in the future.

　 In order to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime, we should continue our efforts to ensure the accession of non-states parties to the NPT and to strengthen the safeguard regime of the IAEA. In this context, as far as the issue of alleged development of nuclear weapons by North Korea is concerned, it is crucial to ensure that the agreement between the United States and North Korea be implemented and that the concerns of the international community be removed. To this end, I would like to express my hope that North Korea positively participates in the on-going consultation between the two countries and demonstrates a positive attitude on the issue of provision of light-water reactors.

　 Considering nuclear disarmament from now on, it is quite necessary, as I have already mentioned, to ensure step-by-step and steady promotion of such nuclear disarmament measures as will promote negotiations on reduction and destruction of the nuclear arsenals of the United States and the Russian Federation, on a CTBT and on other disarmament issues. In addition, it would be very significant to agree as soon as possible on a so-called "Cut-off" treaty on which the Conference on Disarmament is about to start negotiations and which will prohibit production of fissionable materials for weapon purposes. Along with this Cut-off treaty, measures could be considered to enhance transparency in those materials already produced and stockpiled by states, for example, by way of introducing an international regime for that purpose.

　 I believe that the path to disarmament in the 21st century will become clear through the steady promotion of such measures. And I sincerely hope that the time will soon come when the total number of nuclear weapons on this earth will be sharply reduced, their production will have completely ceased, and we will have reached our ultimate goal, that is the total elimination of nuclear weapons from this earth.

　 As you all know, a very dreadful crime, the so-called sarin nerve gas attack, was committed in the subway system in Tokyo this last March in which many people were killed or injured. I will never forgive such a criminal act and I would like to make it absolutely clear that the Government of Japan is undertaking a full investigation in order to get to the bottom of this crime and that, by strengthening security measures and strictly applying the relevant laws, the Government of Japan is making the utmost efforts to avoid any recurrence of such a crime involving sarin nerve gas.

　 I would say that this crime was indeed a very abnormal one. The use of sarin, a highly toxic chemical, one never used before so openly, shocked and terrified the innocent people of Japan and the whole world. As a consequence, that crime has made us pay greater attention to the issue of elimination of chemical weapons.

　 The Chemical Weapons Convention is a historical and epoch-making Convention aiming at the complete elimination of chemical weapons utilizing chemicals such as sarin. The Convention was signed in January 1993 but has not been put into effect due to the lack of the required number of ratifications by countries. At this moment, both its early entry into force and full implementation are strongly desired by the international community. The Diet of Japan approved the Convention on April 28th this year. My Government intends to deposit its instrument of ratification soon, and I would like to urge those countries that have not yet signed it or that have signed but not yet ratified it, to sign and ratify it at the earliest possible date.

　 As well as the issue of weapons of mass destruction, we cannot overlook the issue of conventional arms. In January this year, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali of the United Nations submitted a report to the Security Council in which he emphasized the importance of taking control of conventional arms, in other words, the importance of "Micro-Disarmament" in contrast with the process of disarmament in the field of weapons of mass destruction. I share his view and I would like to present my views on certain issues in this area.

　 First, as regards the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, which was established to enhance transparency in conventional arms transfer, it is necessary to ensure participation of more nations and to expand and develop the register as a global confidence-building measure. Japan is determined to endeavor sincerely to this end.

　 As Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali pointed out, it is necessary to control weapons such as anti-personnel mines and small arms such as automatic rifles. Such weapons are used in large amounts in actual regional conflicts and end up killing people, including civilians, in the hundreds of thousands. As far as anti-personnel mines are concerned, they have been placed during armed conflicts without consideration of civilians : their removal is always accompanied by extreme difficulties and tragic accidents often occur that kill many innocent people. We should not overlook this issue from a humanitarian standpoint. However, I am encouraged by the serious efforts being made not only by the United Nations but also by many nations, including Japan. Allow me to name some of these activities. Japan has been rendering assistance in the removal of mines in Cambodia; the United Nations will host a Conference on anti-personnel mines in Geneva next month; there is on-going negotiation to strengthen the regime under the Convention on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons; and finally, a new proposal is being made on establishing a new regime for controlling mines in export and in other fields. Japan is determined to make as great a contribution as it can in this field.

　 On another issue regarding conventional arms, no particular measures have been taken so far as to small arms although their excessive accumulation is causing instability in various regions. I believe that a new initiative should be taken in this field. As a proposal, I think it is a good idea to establish a group-meeting of wise men and experts under the Secretary-General of the United Nations in order to discuss this issue and to find ways and means to regionally resolve this urgent problem.

　 Keeping in mind the hardships and sacrifices that World War II wreaked on the world and never forgetting our remorse at the past, we have based our foreign policy for five decades on our firm resolve to renounce war as a means of settling international disputes under Japan's peace-oriented Constitution and on our strong commitment to endeavor to secure world peace and security.

　 In addition, Japan has been enforcing strict export controls on arms. And, as the only country to have suffered nuclear devastation, we have resolutely renounced the option of nuclear armament. Japan has thus faithfully been implementing its obligations under the NPT and is strictly observing the three non-nuclear principles of not possessing nuclear weapons, not producing them, and not permitting their introduction into Japan.

　 None of us should ever forget the tragedy of the war and the sorrowful experiences of the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. We should mourn all the victims and sincerely acknowledge the profound distress brought down upon the bereaved and the survivors. All of us must continue to strive never to allow the scourge of war and nuclear weapons to occur again.