Comment by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on China's Nuclear Testing

August, 17 1995

1. It is extremely regrettable that the People's Republic of China conducted another Nuclear test on August 17, following the one in May this year, inspite of the decision made on the utmost restraint on nuclear testing at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference, at a time when Japan and the international community have renewed their desire for peace and nuclear disarmament on the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II and the atomic bombing.
   
   
2. Japan has always regarded the nuclear test ban as one of the highest priorities in the field on nuclear disarmament, and it is very seriously concerned that China has conducted another nuclear test today, despite Japan's repeated request for the suspension of nuclear testing. Japan strongly urges China not to repeat nuclear testing in future. It is also very important that all the nuclear weapon states refrain from conducting nuclear tests. Japan, while strongly urging nuclear-weapon states and other countries concerned in the Conference of Disarmament to complete the negotiation on a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty no later than 1996, intends also to continue making efforts on it's part.
   
   
3. China's nuclear testing today is regrettable also from the viewpoint of the ODA Charter. Japan will have to cope with it's future economic cooperation with China restrainedly, taking account of the present nuclear testing as well, as part of our policy considerations.
   
   
4. Foreign Minister Yohei Kono will notify Chinese Ambassador Xu Dunxin to Japan of Japan's position mentioned above at 4:45 p.m. today.