Statement by Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 8 September 2025 Item 2: Nuclear and radiation safety
2025/9/8
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Japan highly appreciates the Agency’s activities contained in the DG’s report ‘Nuclear and Radiation Safety’ and Madam DDG Herviou’s introductory statement.
Japan is committed to enhancing global nuclear safety, while further improving its own nuclear regulatory framework.
Given the great importance of IAEA Safety Standards and ongoing work to further reinforce and revise them, Japan will receive the 2nd IRRS mission and share our experiences through hosting international workshops and training courses.
Japan supported the IAEA School on Leadership for Safety in Japan in February and hosted the Agency’s workshop on Monitoring during a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency in October 2024.
We remain committed to the implementation of the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention. We welcome the outcome of the 8th Review Meeting of the Joint Convention held earlier this year. Japan will proactively contribute to the success of the 10th Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety to be held next April.
Chair,
On Fukushima, Japan appreciates the IAEA’s continuous pivotal role in overseeing reconstruction and decommissioning, including the discharge of ALPS treated water. I will provide the Board with updates, and I must reiterate that the term “contaminated water” is wholly inaccurate. It is ALPS treated water that Japan discharges.
Since August 2023, 14 batches of treated water, totaling over 100,000 m3, have been safely discharged as planned. Ongoing robust monitoring including the enhanced participation of third countries’ analytical laboratories, continues to confirm its safety. The IAEA Task Force—comprising IAEA officials and international experts including those from neighboring countries—has consistently reaffirmed the discharge is in accordance with international safety standards.
Japan remains committed to a scientific approach and to providing transparent, evidence-based explanations to the international community.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the report.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Japan highly appreciates the Agency’s activities contained in the DG’s report ‘Nuclear and Radiation Safety’ and Madam DDG Herviou’s introductory statement.
Japan is committed to enhancing global nuclear safety, while further improving its own nuclear regulatory framework.
Given the great importance of IAEA Safety Standards and ongoing work to further reinforce and revise them, Japan will receive the 2nd IRRS mission and share our experiences through hosting international workshops and training courses.
Japan supported the IAEA School on Leadership for Safety in Japan in February and hosted the Agency’s workshop on Monitoring during a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency in October 2024.
We remain committed to the implementation of the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention. We welcome the outcome of the 8th Review Meeting of the Joint Convention held earlier this year. Japan will proactively contribute to the success of the 10th Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety to be held next April.
Chair,
On Fukushima, Japan appreciates the IAEA’s continuous pivotal role in overseeing reconstruction and decommissioning, including the discharge of ALPS treated water. I will provide the Board with updates, and I must reiterate that the term “contaminated water” is wholly inaccurate. It is ALPS treated water that Japan discharges.
Since August 2023, 14 batches of treated water, totaling over 100,000 m3, have been safely discharged as planned. Ongoing robust monitoring including the enhanced participation of third countries’ analytical laboratories, continues to confirm its safety. The IAEA Task Force—comprising IAEA officials and international experts including those from neighboring countries—has consistently reaffirmed the discharge is in accordance with international safety standards.
Japan remains committed to a scientific approach and to providing transparent, evidence-based explanations to the international community.
With these comments, Japan takes note of the report.
Thank you, Madam Chair.