Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

On July 31, State Minister Takei attended the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference and delivered an address (PDF) at the general debate.
In his address, State Minister Takei stated that maintaining and strengthening the NPT system is in the interest of the international community as a whole, especially because the path toward a world without nuclear weapons has become ever more challenging, and that Japan will continue to advance realistic and practical efforts under the “Hiroshima Action Plan.” He also stated the importance of enhancing transparency, which is the foundation of nuclear disarmament measures, and the need to revitalize discussions on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). He stated that Japan plans to co-host a high-level event with the Philippines during this year's United Nations General Assembly High Level Week to refocus political attention on the FMCT.
State Minister Takei then stated that Japan will cooperate with the international community on nuclear non-proliferation efforts, including issues related to North Korea and Iran. State Minister Takei also emphasized the importance of implementing the Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium (INFCIRC549) to maintain the transparency of the management of civil plutonium.
State Minister Takei referred to the contents of the Comprehensive Report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published in July regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea. He stated that Japan has provided sincere explanations based on scientific evidence to the international community in a highly transparent manner, and would continue to do so in the future.

On July 31, State Minister Takei attended the side event on the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons and delivered the opening address.
In his address, State Minister Takei discussed the significance of the efforts of the International Group of Eminent Persons. He touched on the messages compiled after the second meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons held in Tokyo in April, as to provide input to the NPT First Session of the Preparatory Committee.
These messages were then submitted to Chair Jarmo Viinanen of the Preparatory Committee from the members of the International Group of Eminent Persons who attended the event. This was followed by a panel discussion and other events.

On July 31, State Minister Takei held an exchange of views with Ms. Nakamitsu, UN Under Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.
State Minister Takei stated that while the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference was under way, he hoped to make steady progress towards nuclear disarmament to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.
In response, Representative Nakamitsu expressed her appreciation for State Minister Takei's attendance at this Preparatory Committee. She stated that it was important that nuclear disarmament continues to be on the agenda, and that she would like to cooperate with Japan on this topic, along with a wide range of topics.

On July 31, State Minister Takei had an exchange of views with Chair Jarmo Viinanen of the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT Review Conference.
State Minister Takei congratulated Chair Viinanen on his assumption of the Chair, and stated that the current First Session of the Preparatory Committee was the first meeting of the 2026 review process. He stated that it was an important meeting for enhancing momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons, and that the Japanese government would spare no effort to cooperate with Chair Viinanen.
In response, Chair Viinanen praised Japan's realistic efforts on nuclear disarmament and stated that he would like to cooperate with Japan to achieve good outcomes in the review process leading up to the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

On July 31, State Minister Takei exchanged views with H.E. Ambassador Teburoro Tito, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kiribati to the United Nations.
State Minister Takei stated that this First Session of the Preparatory Committee is an important meeting for enhancing momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons, and that he would like to cooperate with Kiribati.
He also reiterated that the Government of Japan would never allow the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea in a manner that would adversely affect human health and the marine environment. Furthermore, he stated that at the meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) delegation on February 7, both sides had concurred on the importance of an intensive dialogue on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea. He gave an explanation on the report comparing the opinions of experts from both Japan and PIF, based on a series of consultations at the political level and with experts. He handed the report after explaining that it had already been sent to the PIF Secretariat and to each country.
In response, Ambassador Tito stated that he would like Japan and Kiribati to cooperate toward a world without nuclear weapons for future generations. He also stated that he understood the latest situation thanks to the detailed explanation and the report on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea.

On July 31, State Minister Takei exchanged views with Dr. Robert Floyd, Provisional Technical Secretariat, Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO.
State Minister Takei stated that eight countries have ratified the CTBT since Secretariat Floyd assumed office, and that universalisation of the treaty was progressing under the Secretariat. He expressed his appreciation for the attendance of the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission at the regional meeting held by Japan in early July to promote the entry into force of the CTBT. He also stated that the ballistic missile launches by North Korea are in an unprecedented frequency and in new manners, which pose a grave and urgent threat to the security of Japan and the region that cannot be tolerated, and that he would like to cooperate closely with the PTS, including in dealing with North Korea.
In response, Secretariat Floyd expressed his gratitude to Japan for its leadership toward the early entry into force of the CTBT and stated that he would like to continue to cooperate closely with Japan, including in dealing with North Korea.

On July 31, State Minister Takei exchanged views with the Australian delegation, which included H.E. Mr. Ian Biggs, Australian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, and Ms. Vanessa Wood, Australian Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation.
State Minister Takei referred to the disarmament and non-proliferation cooperation between Japan and Australia, including the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), and stated that he would like to continue close cooperation with Australia toward a meaningful outcome at the 2026 NPT Review Conference. He conveyed Japan’s appreciation for Australia’s statement welcoming and supporting the IAEA Comprehensive Report regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, and stated that Japan will continue to provide sincere explanations based on scientific evidence to the international community in a highly transparent manner.
In response, Ambassador Biggs stated that he would like to continue close cooperation between Japan and Australia in disarmament and non-proliferation, including the NPDI, and that he appreciated Japan's explanation regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea. He further stated that he would like to maintain close contact with each other.

• (3) In addition, an exchange of views at the working level was held with the G7 and other countries on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea.