Seminar on Strengthening Nuclear Security in Asian Countries
Opening Statement by
Tetsuro Fukuyama, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs

21 January 2010, 9:00-09:20 at Hotel New Otani

Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

At the opening of the seminar on Strengthening Nuclear Security in Asian Countries, I would like to say a few words on behalf of the Government of Japan. I also would like to warmly welcome all of you to Tokyo, coming all the way here to attend this seminar.

This seminar is a follow-up to the one we hosted in Tokyo in 2006. Looking back the developments in the field of nuclear security area since 2006, first, Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism was launched by the United States and Russia in July 2006 and currently 76 countries are participating in this Initiative. In July 2007, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism entered into force and 62 countries have concluded this convention as of today. Also, last year, US President Obama announced to hold a summit on nuclear security in coming April. Moreover, last September, Resolution 1887, which includes quite a few elements of nuclear security, was adopted at the UN Security Council.

Recently, nuclear power generation is regarded as a promising measure to help resolve global issues such as climate change and soaring energy prices and more than 40 countries have expressed interest in newly embarking on nuclear power generation programs. As you are all aware, such trend has been seen in Asian countries as well. As peaceful uses of nuclear energy expand, more nuclear materials and nuclear related facilities will there be. Therefore, securing such materials and protecting such facilities will be more important for us to carry out nuclear activities.

Against this background, nuclear security, in other words, counter-nuclear terrorism is not an issue that only developed countries have to urgently tackle. All the countries which use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes have to bear full responsibility for necessary measures to adequately protect nuclear materials and nuclear related facilities. Those nuclear security measures need to be taken in accordance with relevant international standards and guidelines.
In this regard, I would like to stress the importance of international cooperation for ensuring nuclear security in each country. Japan has been carrying out some projects for nuclear security through IAEA Nuclear Security Fund and we intend to continue such cooperation in capacity building, in particular human resource development.

At this seminar, it is planned to hold a panel discussion session, which is an excellent idea proposed by the IAEA. I think it will be a good opportunity for each participant to share experience and knowledge, discuss and exchange views on things such as challenges you face in implementing nuclear security. I truly hope that an outcome of this seminar will contribute to the strengthening of nuclear security in Asian countries as well as the prevention of nuclear terrorism.

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