Statement by Ambassador Toshiro OZAWA of Japan at the Tim Hampton Lecture Series on CTBTO Past and Future Contributions to Emergency Preparedness: Fukushima Case Study

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

[Introduction]

I congratulate and also thank Ambassador Tibor Tóth for organizing today’s colloquium just before the one year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station. I wish to reiterate Japan’s deepest gratitude to all states and international organizations, as well as to all people around the world, who gave us courage and support after the triple disaster.

[Response of the CTBTO]

The CTBTO played an important role in the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant accident. We all know that the fundamental role of the CTBT verification regime is to detect nuclear testing, but we have also learned that the verification regime is effective in our common response to disasters, such as in the case of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through the timely provision of concrete data on the concentration levels of radioactive materials and through its science-based predictions of the dispersion of the radiation plume, the CTBTO showed to the member states that the concentration levels of the radioactive materials were far below levels that could cause harm to human health. Japan appreciates this contribution from the CTBTO, and sincerely thanks the staff of the CTBTO for their dedicated work at that very difficult time. Moreover, Japan welcomes that the CTBTO shared data with the IAEA, the WMO, the WHO and other international organizations, and thereby contributed to their work.

[Contribution for the enhancement of the Atmospheric Transportation Modelling (ATM)]

In view of the proven usefulness of the CTBT verification regime for disasters through the Atmospheric Transportation Modelling (ATM), Japan made a voluntary contribution of US$ 736,000 for the further development of the ATM. We expect that this contribution will enhance the CTBTO’s prediction and calculation capabilities. Needless to say, improved capabilities will lead to better detection of nuclear explosions. In addition, Japan will soon dispatch an ATM specialist as a consultant to support the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS).

[Japan’s cooperation for the enhancement of the CTBT verification regime]

Ladies and gentlemen,

Japan has consistently supported the early entry into force of the CTBT. The CTBT verification regime needs to be fully operational when the treaty enters into force, and in order to realize this, Japan has supported the enhancement of the verification regime as much as possible. One of our efforts in this respect is conducting the JICA Global Seismological Training Course every year. This year, Japan is also planning to hold a workshop of noble gas, which aims to improve observation techniques and data analysis techniques. In addition, the East Asia National Data Centre (NDC) Workshop has been planned in cooperation with the United States, as part of measures to improve the capacity building of National Data Centres staff and to strengthen cooperation among NDCs in the East Asia region. Japan believes that these efforts will strengthen nuclear detection capability and will, furthermore, be beneficial for scientific and civil applications, including tsunami and other hazard warning systems.

[Conclusion]

On Monday, March 12th at 13:00, the Permanent Mission of Japan will host a commemoration ceremony of the first year of the Great East Japan Earthquake at the M building of the VIC followed by a reception at the Japanese Mission. You are all invited to attend.

Thank you.