Statement by Ambassador HIKIHARA Takeshi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 11 September 2023 Item 8: Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine
2023/9/14
Thank you, Chair,
Japan thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for preparing the report on this agenda item.
Japan remains deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation at all nuclear facilities in Ukraine, in particular at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). As the Director General reported, the situation at the ZNPP continues to be difficult and challenging, with the Seven Pillars being compromised fully or partially at all times.
Japan once again condemns in the strongest terms, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter. Russia must withdraw all forces and equipment from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine including the ZNPP immediately and unconditionally and the plant should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities.
Japan is also concerned about the repeated power supply disconnections which underlined the continuing precarious nuclear safety and security situation at the plant, limited capacity for maintenance as well as the complex and challenging situation for the Ukrainian operating staff.
Japan supports the five principles established by the Director General on May 30, in order to prevent a nuclear accident and to ensure the integrity of the ZNPP, in a manner that respects full Ukrainian sovereignty over its internationally recognised territory. We also support the continued and reinforced physical presence of the ISAMZ which monitor and report on observance of these principles. Unrestricted and timely access should be provided in order to promptly assess the situation.
Japan expresses its grave concern that the Russian Federation has not heeded the call of the Board expressed in the past three resolutions.
Japan reiterates its deep appreciation to Director General Grossi, the Agency staff at all nuclear sites in Ukraine, and all other staff who are making dedicated efforts to ensure the safe and secure operation of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, as well as proper safeguards activities, during this very difficult situation. The IAEA’s presence at all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites is essential in acquiring impartial, first-hand observation about the situation of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
Japan also commends the IAEA for continuing to implement safeguards in Ukraine, including in-field verification activities, in accordance with Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). As the Director General reported, the IAEA has not found any indication that would give rise to a proliferation concern.
Japan firmly supports the IAEA’s efforts related to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, including the continued presence of the ISAMZ over one year and delivery of equipment, as well as Medical Assistance for Operating Staff at NPPs, IAEA Support and Assistance Mission on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (ISAMRAD) and the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to the Kherson Oblast (ISAMKO). Japan has provided approximately 12 million euros in total towards the IAEA's work related to Ukraine and we will continue our support.
We ask the Director General to regularly update the Board on the situation in Ukraine, so that Member States, including Japan, can continue to support the IAEA’s efforts relevant to Ukraine.
I thank you, Chair.
Japan thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for preparing the report on this agenda item.
Japan remains deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation at all nuclear facilities in Ukraine, in particular at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). As the Director General reported, the situation at the ZNPP continues to be difficult and challenging, with the Seven Pillars being compromised fully or partially at all times.
Japan once again condemns in the strongest terms, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter. Russia must withdraw all forces and equipment from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine including the ZNPP immediately and unconditionally and the plant should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities.
Japan is also concerned about the repeated power supply disconnections which underlined the continuing precarious nuclear safety and security situation at the plant, limited capacity for maintenance as well as the complex and challenging situation for the Ukrainian operating staff.
Japan supports the five principles established by the Director General on May 30, in order to prevent a nuclear accident and to ensure the integrity of the ZNPP, in a manner that respects full Ukrainian sovereignty over its internationally recognised territory. We also support the continued and reinforced physical presence of the ISAMZ which monitor and report on observance of these principles. Unrestricted and timely access should be provided in order to promptly assess the situation.
Japan expresses its grave concern that the Russian Federation has not heeded the call of the Board expressed in the past three resolutions.
Japan reiterates its deep appreciation to Director General Grossi, the Agency staff at all nuclear sites in Ukraine, and all other staff who are making dedicated efforts to ensure the safe and secure operation of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, as well as proper safeguards activities, during this very difficult situation. The IAEA’s presence at all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites is essential in acquiring impartial, first-hand observation about the situation of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
Japan also commends the IAEA for continuing to implement safeguards in Ukraine, including in-field verification activities, in accordance with Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). As the Director General reported, the IAEA has not found any indication that would give rise to a proliferation concern.
Japan firmly supports the IAEA’s efforts related to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, including the continued presence of the ISAMZ over one year and delivery of equipment, as well as Medical Assistance for Operating Staff at NPPs, IAEA Support and Assistance Mission on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (ISAMRAD) and the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to the Kherson Oblast (ISAMKO). Japan has provided approximately 12 million euros in total towards the IAEA's work related to Ukraine and we will continue our support.
We ask the Director General to regularly update the Board on the situation in Ukraine, so that Member States, including Japan, can continue to support the IAEA’s efforts relevant to Ukraine.
I thank you, Chair.