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Specific Issue: Nuclear Disarmament & Security Assurances

The Third Session of the Preparatory Committee
for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

May 2009

Mr. Chairman,

On signing the NPT in 1970, Japan emphasized in its official statement that, "the nuclear-weapon States must not have recourse to use of nuclear weapons or threaten to use such weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States." That position remains unchanged, and Japan lends its basic support to the concept of negative security assurances (NSAs).

Accordingly, the reaffirmation of the provision of NSAs in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 984 by all the nuclear-weapon States in the discussions of the Conference on Disarmament in recent years should be commended.

Furthermore, in line with the Final Document of the 2000 Review Conference, Japan recognizes the important role that nuclear-weapon-free zones have played in extending negative security assurances. Also, we are convinced that the establishment of internationally recognized nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of the region concerned enhances global and regional peace and security, strengthens the nuclear non-proliferation regime and contributes towards realizing the objective of nuclear disarmament. In particular, ensuring the effectiveness of existing nuclear-weapon-free zones, including working towards their entry into force, is important as a practical and realistic step for NSAs.

Japan regards the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia as an effort to strengthen peace and stability in the region and, from this perspective, welcomes its entry-into-force on 21 March this year. It is important to ensure the practicability and effectiveness of the Treaty through consultations with the five nuclear-weapon States, as stipulated in the 1999 UN Disarmament Commission Guidelines. Japan will follow closely and intently the developments associated with the efforts by the five Central Asian States.

The Treaty of Pelindaba is moving steadily toward entry-into-force with the accession of new states. Japan welcomes this positive movement. We also hope that the Southeast Asian states will report on the progress made based on the Action Plan agreed to at the Bangkok Treaty Committee meeting in 2007, which includes the continuation of consultations for seeking the accession of all the nuclear-weapon States.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.