Statement by Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura on the Entry into Force of the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and other Devices annexed to the CCW (Amended Protocol II)

December 4, 1998

I heartily welcome the entry into force today (December 3) of the Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-traps and other Devices (Amended Protocol II) annexed to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW). This protocol is of great significance, as is the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention, to enter into force on March 1, 1999), which is part of the international efforts aimed at the universal and effective ban on anti-personnel mines.
At present, more than 100 million anti-personnel mines remain buried in conflict areas of the world, not only causing serious humanitarian problems by, for example, victimizing civilians, but constituting a major impediment to post-conflict rehabilitation and development. Taking account of such a situation, the protocol has greatly enhanced the international restrictions on landmines by, for example, limiting the use and transfer of undetectable landmines, etc.
Japan will continue to urge other countries to conclude this protocol and to make efforts for achieving the universal and effective ban on anti-personnel mines.

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