Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

1 Itinerary

2 Outcomes

3 Outline of main events

(1) Minister Kishida’s statement at the General Debate of the First Session of the Preparatory Committee of the 2020 NPT Review Conference

• Minister Kishida attended the First Session of the Preparatory Committee of the 2020 NPT Review Conference held in Vienna and delivered a statement (PDF) at the General Debate as the first speaker.
• In his statement at the beginning of the session, Minister Kishida strongly condemned North Korea's nuclear and missile development and urged North Korea to comply with the relevant UNSC resolutions and other international commitments. Minister Kishida stated that it is necessary to rebuild trust between nuclear- and non-nuclear-weapon States in order to realize a world free of nuclear weapons, and for that purpose, proposed three policies, namely enhancing transparency, improving security environment and raising awareness of the reality of the use of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, Minister Kishida proposed a specific pathway that Japan has in mind towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
• As specific actions, Minister Kishida proposed holding a meeting of an eminent persons group this year to produce a report which will contribute to a progress on nuclear disarmament and report it to the next Preparatory Committee. Minister Kishida also proposed inviting 1,000 guests to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In addition, Minister Kishida expressed Japan's utmost determination towards the success of the 2020 NPT Review Conference, with the aim of realizing a world free of nuclear weapons, while referring to Japan's contributions to the promotion of efforts on nuclear non-proliferation, strengthening nuclear security and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

(2) Exchange of views with the heads of delegations from the NPDI member countries

• Minister Kishida attended the meeting of the heads of delegations from the NPDI member countries for an exchange of views.
• In his opening remarks, Minister Kishida noted the significance of holding the NPDI meeting on the first day of the 2020 NPT Review process and renewing the NPDI's determination to strengthen the NPT regime. Furthermore, Minister Kishida expressed his hope that the NPDI will actively contribute to the 2020 NPT Review process as a group, while providing the maximum support to the Netherlands and Poland, who are both NPDI member countries and who are, respectively, the current and next Chair countries of the NPT Preparatory Committee.
• In the following exchange of views, NPDI member countries expressed the view that it is important to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime as the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and for the NPDI, which holds various views on how to approach nuclear disarmament, to advance efforts towards the success of the 2020 NPT Review Committee, while presenting common items that the international community can undertake together.
• Finally, Minister Kishida stated that, as an outcome of the day's meeting, the NPDI member countries were able to confirm that they will keep focusing on NPT and that all member countries will work together towards the success of the 2020 NPT Review Conference.

(3) Remarks at the side event of the First Session of the Preparatory Committee of the 2020 NPT Review Conference hosted by Hiroshima Prefecture

• Minister Kishida participated in the side event "Bridging a Gap between Nuclear-Weapon States and Non-Nuclear-Weapon States," hosted by Hiroshima Prefecture, and made opening remarks (PDF).
• In his remarks, Minister Kishida stated that as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings, Japan has a mission and responsibility to spread awareness of the realities of the disaster of Hiroshima and Nagasaki beyond borders and generations. Furthermore, Minister Kishida expressed the view that a clear message from the civil society of the cities which suffered atomic bombings will play a very important role.
• Minister Kishida also called for three measures to bridge the gap between nuclear- and non-nuclear-weapon States ((1) enhancing transparency, (2) improvement of security environment, and (3) raising awareness of the reality of the use of nuclear weapons) and expressed Japan's intention to make every possible effort to realize a "world free of nuclear weapons."

(4) Exchange of views with Mr. Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• Minister Kishida held an exchange of views with IAEA Director General Amano.
• In the exchange of views, Minister Kishida welcomed Director General Amano's reappointment, stated that Japan appreciates Director General Amano's "Atoms for Peace and Development" initiative and IAEA efforts on such matters as the North Korea's nuclear issue and the implementation of the final agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, and expressed Japan's utmost support for the future efforts of Director General Amano. Director General Amano expressed his gratitude for Japan's support for IAEA activities, explained efforts regarding such matters as the North Korea's nuclear issue and the implementation of the agreement regarding Iran, and expressed the desire to continue to cooperate closely with Japan as well.
• In addition, Minister Kishida stated that Japan intends to cooperate with the IAEA on counterterrorism measures in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Director General Amano also stated that the IAEA has expertise related to major public events and expressed the desire to collaborate closely with Japan.

(5) Courtesy call by Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary, Provisional Technical Secretary, Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, to Minister Kishida and a joint appeal by Japan, Kazakhstan and Executive Secretary Zerbo

• Minister Kishida received a courtesy call from CTBTO Executive Secretary Zerbo, after which Minister Kishida and Executive Secretary Zerbo made a joint appeal (PDF) concerning the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-ban Treaty (CTBT).
• During the courtesy call from Executive Secretary Zerbo, Minister Kishida stated that North Korea's nuclear and missile development has reached a new threat level, that the swift detection of nuclear tests as they are conducted is extremely important, and that Japan intends to contribute further to the universalization of the international monitoring system (IMS) and its even more effective operation. In response, Executive Secretary Zerbo expressed his gratitude for Japan's efforts and support towards the early entry into force of the CTBT, and stated his intention to continue to collaborate closely with Japan. Minister Kishida and Executive Secretary Zerbo confirmed to continue to cooperate closely for the promotion of the entry into force of the CTBT.
• Subsequently, Minister Kishida made a joint appeal concerning CTBT with H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay, Ambassador and PR of Kazakhstan to the International Organization in Vienna, and Executive Secretary Zerbo. Minister Kishida stated that Japan will exert its utmost efforts to realize the early entry into force of the CTBT and urge self-restraint from North Korea regarding nuclear tests and other acts of provocation, and commented on the universalization and further strengthening of the capabilities of the IMS for nuclear tests. Following this, Ambassador Sarybay and Executive Secretary Zerbo expressed their intention to continue to work towards the early entry into force of the CTBT, stating it is important to the promotion of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.