Statement by Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 2 March 2026 Item 6: Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine
2026/3/4
It is regrettable that four years have passed since Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began. Japan reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Japan remains seriously concerned about the continued military activities near all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and the precarious situation at the Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), posing constant threats to nuclear safety and security, as highlighted in the DG’s latest report. Peace in Ukraine cannot be separated from the assurance of nuclear safety and security as well as the implementation of Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). Japan calls for maximum military restraint and full adherence to the “Seven Indispensable Pillars” and the “Five Concrete Principles.”
Needless to say, a nuclear accident would not be confined within national borders. As the 40th year commemorative day of the Chornobyl accident approaches next month, Japan underscores to all Member States the fundamental importance of ensuring the safe and stable operation of nuclear power plants.
Chair,
Despite these difficult circumstances, Japan highly appreciates the DG’s leadership and the Agency’s efforts in facilitating a fifth local ceasefire last week to repair a damaged power line. Japan also pays tribute to the professionalism and courage of IAEA staff working in Ukraine, including recent expert missions to assess electrical substations, under extremely challenging conditions.
Furthermore, Japan respectfully acknowledges the Agency’s milestone last month with its 200th delivery of equipment to Ukraine, which clearly demonstrates the Agency’s unwavering commitment. Since the outset of the conflict, Japan has contributed approximately 24.4 million euros to support the Agency’s important activities in Ukraine. In addition to this, the Government of Japan has newly decided to provide an additional 2.6 million euros, including support for the Agency’s expert missions to Ukraine.
Japan will continue to strongly support the IAEA’s vital work, together with like-minded Member States.
Thank you, Chair.
Japan remains seriously concerned about the continued military activities near all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and the precarious situation at the Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), posing constant threats to nuclear safety and security, as highlighted in the DG’s latest report. Peace in Ukraine cannot be separated from the assurance of nuclear safety and security as well as the implementation of Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). Japan calls for maximum military restraint and full adherence to the “Seven Indispensable Pillars” and the “Five Concrete Principles.”
Needless to say, a nuclear accident would not be confined within national borders. As the 40th year commemorative day of the Chornobyl accident approaches next month, Japan underscores to all Member States the fundamental importance of ensuring the safe and stable operation of nuclear power plants.
Chair,
Despite these difficult circumstances, Japan highly appreciates the DG’s leadership and the Agency’s efforts in facilitating a fifth local ceasefire last week to repair a damaged power line. Japan also pays tribute to the professionalism and courage of IAEA staff working in Ukraine, including recent expert missions to assess electrical substations, under extremely challenging conditions.
Furthermore, Japan respectfully acknowledges the Agency’s milestone last month with its 200th delivery of equipment to Ukraine, which clearly demonstrates the Agency’s unwavering commitment. Since the outset of the conflict, Japan has contributed approximately 24.4 million euros to support the Agency’s important activities in Ukraine. In addition to this, the Government of Japan has newly decided to provide an additional 2.6 million euros, including support for the Agency’s expert missions to Ukraine.
Japan will continue to strongly support the IAEA’s vital work, together with like-minded Member States.
Thank you, Chair.