Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Cuba's Accession to the NPT

November 6, 2002

1. Japan welcomes the fact that on November 4, Cuba deposited the instrument of accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) with Russia, one of the Depositary Governments of the NPT, thereby becoming the 188th Party to the NPT.
   
   
2. Japan believes that, as a cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, the NPT has been contributing to global peace and security. In this context, Japan has repeatedly urged Non-Parties to the NPT, including Cuba, to accede to it. Cuba's recent accession is expected to lead to further strengthening of the NPT regime.
   
   
3. Japan intends to continue urging early accession to the NPT upon the remaining Non-Party States (India, Pakistan, Israel, and others).

Related Information (Japan-Cuba Relations)
Related Information (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)