Statement by Ambassador Mitsuru KITANO Representative of Japan to Main Committee III of the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Mr Chairman,


At the outset, let me congratulate you, on behalf of the Government of Japan,  on  your  assumption  of  the  Chairmanship  of  Main  Committee  III. Please be assured of our full confidence in your able guidance and of our full cooperation with you in bringing about fruitful outcomes of this Committee.


Mr Chairman,


Over the past 5 years, we have witnessed important developments and progress in most of the actions contained in the Action Plan of the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
The  peaceful  uses  of  nuclear  science  and  technology  have  been promoted in the past 5 years for the benefits of a large number of States parties. Nuclear  science  and  technology  have  the  potential  to  make  a  tangible contribution to effectively addressing global challenges such as sustainable development and the environmental protection, as most recently evidenced by the IAEA’s swift response to the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease.   The newly established IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative, PUI, has mobilized over 77 million US dollar and has benefitted more than 130 countries throughout the world over the last 5 years.   I would like to commend the IAEA for its tireless efforts to support developing countries in this regard.

In our view, increased recognition of the potential contribution of the application of nuclear science and technology and its further promotion would facilitate and promote the future implementation of the upcoming post-2015 development agenda.   We should maintain this positive momentum in the coming years. At the same time, the Fukushima Daiichi accident, reminded us all of the utmost importance of nuclear safety worldwide.   The promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology is best achieved by incorporating experience and lessons learned in the field of nuclear safety including those obtained in the Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety held in December 2012.


Under the NPT, all States parties enjoy the inalienable right to the development of research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with articles I, II and III of the NPT.   At the same time, the use of nuclear science and technology must be accompanied by commitment to the on-going implementation of safeguards, as well as safety, security and radiation protection at an appropriate and effective level,   in   accordance   with   States’   national   legislation   and   respective international obligations. Based upon these basic principles, Japan has submitted a Working Paper entitled “Enhancement of peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology” to this Review Conference, which highlights key elements for further strengthening peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.


Mr Chairman,


Japan emphasizes the  importance of  enhancing access to  nuclear science and technology for the benefit of developing countries, through various measures  including  capacity-building,  the  provision  of  equipment, strengthening regional networking and regional cooperation frameworks such as the RCA in Asia, or AFRA in Africa, and facilitating cooperation among developing countries. Japan also emphasizes the importance of broadening areas for nuclear applications to enable States to meet their fundamental needs for socioeconomic developments in wide-ranging areas such as human health including cancer therapy, nutrition, food security and safety, agriculture, water management, environmental protection, industrial application and energy production. In this context, the ongoing project of modernizing the IAEA’s Nuclear Applications Laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, or ReNuAL, is very important as it will help the IAEA to greatly enhance research and development in various nuclear applications, by providing further opportunities for technology transfer to its Member States.   For the purpose of supporting the IAEA in implementing the project as expeditiously as possible, I am pleased to announce that Japan will disburse 2 million US dollars from our contribution to the PUI.   Japan encourages other interested countries to do the same, and looks forward to working with them in this endeavour.


As I previously touched upon, Japan acknowledges the central role of the IAEA in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in all aspects. We stress the importance of the work of the IAEA to cooperate with its Member States through its Technical Cooperation Programmes based on their respective national needs.   The PUI is a valuable mechanism that supplements the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund and mobilizes additional resources for a range of important IAEA programmes.   Japan has contributed more than 13 million US dollars over the past 5 years to support the PUI. In this regard, I am pleased to reiterate once again the announcement made by Foreign Minister Kishida last week, that Japan will contribute a total of 25 million US dollars over the next 5 years to the PUI.   We hope that this will show Japan’s resolve to maintain the positive momentum generated in the area of peaceful uses and to further support IAEA’s activities in the coming years.   I would like to encourage those States parties and relevant organizations to do the same.


Mr Chairman,


Strengthening nuclear safety and radiation protection constitutes a vital element for the development of nuclear science and technology, both in nuclear power and non-power applications.   Japan underlines the importance for the States parties to continue maintaining and improving national and international infrastructures for nuclear safety and radiation protection.

Following the Fukushima Daiichi accident, considerable efforts have been made all over the world to strengthen nuclear safety.   For Japan, managing the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi accident remains a priority. We have been implementing measures to effectively address a  variety of challenges such as contaminated water, decommissioning, marine monitoring and remediation issues in close cooperation with the IAEA and the international community.

After the accident, the Nuclear Regulation Authority was established as an independent regulator.   Consequently, existing nuclear power plants must be placed under the regulator’s scrutiny and meet the new regulatory requirements before restarting operations.   While nuclear power was identified as an important base-load power source in the Strategic Energy Plan of Japan, as approved by the Cabinet in April 2014, nuclear safety remains the utmost priority  for  Japan.     Japan  will  continue  to  share  with  the  international community the experience and lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

The IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety has served as a significant benchmark for further enhancing nuclear safety worldwide.   Japan has been continuously implementing and supporting the steady implementation of this Action Plan and urges also other States parties to do so.


Mr Chairman,


The safe transport of radioactive material is another essential aspect of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.   Japan has conducted the transport of nuclear materials in strict conformity with international standards established by the relevant international organizations and based on the right of freedom of maritime navigation as provided for in international law.   Japan also regards maintaining dialogue with coastal States as extremely important in promoting mutual understanding.   We will continue to engage in  confidence-building dialogue with coastal States.


Mr Chairman,


Japan regards the  increasing number  of  contracting parties to  the treaties and conventions in the area of peaceful uses of nuclear energy as important developments that contribute to the creation of more robust international legal  frameworks.  In  particular,  the  Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC) entered into force, after  conclusion  by  Japan,  on  15  April  this  year.   We  believe  this  is  a significant step forward in our joint effort to establish a global nuclear liability regime.   Moreover, nearly 50 countries, including Japan, ratified the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material over the past 5 years, although it has not entered into force yet.   The adoption of the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety in February this year made an important step towards enhancing the implementation of the Convention on Nuclear Safety.   Japan continues to encourage States parties to adhere to these international instruments and facilitate the implementation in order to strengthen the relevant international legal frameworks.

Mr Chairman,


Japan recognizes that education and public communication play an important role in disseminating information to, and raising awareness of the general public  on  the  utility of  the  peaceful uses of  nuclear science and technology.   Japan encourages all States parties, groups of countries and relevant organizations to work towards this end.
Japan will continue to work together with the international community to make every effort to promote and ensure the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in a safe, secure and sustainable manner.


Thank you, Mr. Chairman.