Press Conference, 4 December 2008

Signing of the Convention on Cluster Munitions
Adoption of Nuclear Disarmament Resolution Submitted by Japan to the 63rd Plenary Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Adoption of Draft Resolution Concerning Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons
The 16th OSCE Ministerial Council
Entry into Force of the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
The Adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution to Address the Acts of Piracy and Armed Robbery off the Coast of Somalia

I. Signing of the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions at a signing ceremony in Oslo, Norway yesterday. This Convention prohibits the use, development and production of cluster munitions, and stipulates the destruction of stockpiles of cluster munitions within 8 years in principle, assistance to the victims of cluster munitions and the creation of a framework for international cooperation. Taking humanitarian concerns arising from cluster munitions very seriously, Japan has contributed to the clearance of unexploded ordnance including cluster munitions in Lebanon, Laos, Cambodia, Afghanistan and elsewhere, and also to the process of drafting this Convention.

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II. Adoption of Nuclear Disarmament Resolution Submitted by Japan to the 63rd Plenary Session of the United Nations General Assembly

A draft resolution on nuclear disarmament, “Renewed Determination Towards the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons," submitted by Japan, was adopted on Wednesday, the 3rd, December (December 2, U.S. time) at the 63rd Plenary Session of the United Nations General Assembly by an overwhelming majority with 173 votes in favor, 4 against and 6 abstentions. The resolution received support from the largest number of countries since Japan first submitted its resolution on nuclear disarmament in 1994. Based on the achievements of the Hokkaido Toyako Summit, this year's resolution calls upon all nuclear-weapon states to undertake reductions of nuclear weapons in a transparent manner.

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III. Adoption of Draft Resolution Concerning Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

The draft resolution concerning the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons which the Government of Japan submitted jointly with Colombia and South Africa has been adopted by an overwhelming majority, with 181 votes in favor and one against (the United States), at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, the 3rd, December (December 2, U.S. time). This resolution encourages each country to implement the “future path" to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. Since 1995, Japan has submitted small arms and light weapons draft resolutions to the UN General Assembly almost every year, setting out a course for solving the problem. This year's adoption won wide support from the international community as contributing to addressing the small arms and light weapons issue, and Japan intends to pursue its efforts to prevent the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

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IV. The 16th OSCE Ministerial Council

Mr. Shintaro Ito, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, is now attending the 16th Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council, and stressed that strengthened dialogue and cooperation between the OSCE and Japan could contribute to the peace and stability of the whole world and toward wide-ranging security challenges. With regard to Georgia, Japan hopes that the country will swiftly recover from the damage and will return to a path of stability and development. Japan already has announced an assistance package of up to 200 million dollars for Georgia. Japan also would like to consider cooperation with the OSCE including the management of Afghanistan's borders. Japan will continue its support of international efforts in the fight against terrorism.

V. Entry into Force of the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

The Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership between Japan and Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) entered into force on Monday, the 1st, December between Japan, Singapore, Laos, Viet Nam and Myanmar. This Agreement liberalizes and facilitates trade in goods between Japan and the ASEAN Member States, promotes cooperation in such fields as intellectual property, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and stipulates that it will hold negotiations for the liberalization of trade in services and the liberalization and protection of investments.

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VI. Adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution to Address the Acts of Piracy and Armed Robbery off the Coast of Somalia

Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1846 on Tuesday, the 2nd, December (New York time), regarding measures to address the acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. Japan held close consultations with Security Council members for the adoption of this resolution and joined in its co-sponsorship. Japan strongly hopes that the resolution will enhance the ongoing efforts to address the issue of piracy and armed robbery in this area.

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