Press Conferences

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs:Japan, as the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, hosted a UNSC ministerial meeting on “Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation” for the first time today. This meeting originated from Prime Minister Kishida’s speech at the General Debate of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly last year, following the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which built international momentum toward progress on nuclear disarmament. In the speech, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, would work to promote dialogue between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States.

On March 17, New York time, North Korea again launched ballistic missiles in violation of UNSC resolutions. Such activities by North Korea threaten the peace and stability of the region and the international community. It is totally unacceptable. I, as Chair, made this point clear at the ministerial meeting.

The path toward a world without nuclear weapons is becoming more severe due to factors such as Russia’s nuclear threats and North Korea’s nuclear and missile development. Nevertheless, we must steadily advance realistic and practical efforts. The Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the foundation for the efforts.. At the meeting, I emphasized that it is extremely meaningful to promote dialogue on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation here at the UNSC in which both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States participate, in the mid-term year of the NPT review cycle.

UN Secretary-General Guterres and other briefers expressed strong support for holding a dialogue at the UNSC toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons. In addition, Dr. Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), shared his personal experience of visiting Hiroshima, an atomic-bombed city, and deeply moved the chamber.

Today, I announced the establishment of the “FMCT Friends,” which aims to maintain and enhance international and political attention toward a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). Last September, Prime Minister Kishida hosted the Commemorative High-Level Event on an FMCT, which refocused political attention toward the treaty. The FMCT Friends will maintain and enhance such political attention. Furthermore, many Member States welcomed Japan’s initiative and remarked on the importance of maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime. Building on today’s dialogue, we will continue to implement measures one by one under the “Hiroshima Action Plan.”

After the meeting, I held meetings with UN Secretary-General Guterres, U.S. Representative to the UN Thomas-Greenfield, Foreign Minister Macamo of Mozambique, Deputy Foreign Minister Alghali of Sierra Leone, and CTBTO Executive Secretary Floyd. They highly appreciated Japan taking leadership in the field of nuclear disarmament amid an increasingly severe international situation. Additionally, there was a positive response from many regarding the prospect of advancing Women, Peace and Security (WPS) more vigorously in the UN arena. At the respective meetings, I explained that North Korea’s launch of ballistic missiles yesterday threatens the peace and stability of the international community and is totally unacceptable. I also concurred with many in promoting the strengthening of the functions of the UN, including UNSC reform.

I held the fourth meeting under the title of “WPS + Innovation.” Collaboration with UN agencies is essential in Japan’s effort to vigorously promote WPS as part of our major foreign policy issues. Today, Ambassador Brattested, Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN, Ms. Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, Ms. Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General, and Ms. Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security shared their insights on the added value generated by women’s participation in policymaking, from the perspective of promoting WPS to the next level. I will draw on their knowledge and promote further measures domestically and internationally, taking into account the WPS perspective.

In addition, I had an opportunity to meet with Japanese staff who are playing an active role at UN organizations and received their input based on knowledge and experience. I would like to express my appreciation to the contributions made by many people.

This was a short but intense visit to New York. Next month, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held. I will continue to hold dialogues with various countries in order to translate the outcomes of this visit into further achievements and enhance Japan’s diplomatic presence. That is all from me.

Reporter:I would like to ask about your meeting with Secretary-General Guterres. You have just briefed us, but could you explain a little bit more about what you and the Secretary-General concurred upon? Secondly, you stated that the path toward nuclear disarmament is challenging. Please tell us what role you expect the UN to fulfill in nuclear disarmament.

Minister Kamikawa:The first question was about my discussion with Secretary-General Guterres. I held a separate meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres after the UNSC Ministerial Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Japan’s hosting of this meeting and praised Japan’s commitment to a world without nuclear weapons. We confirmed that we will continue to cooperate in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The UN fulfills an important role in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, including maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime. Japan will make active efforts toward strengthening the functions of the UN as a whole.

Reporter:I have a question about the FMCT Friends you referred to in your opening remarks. You announced the establishment of the FMCT Friends, whose members will include the U.S., the UK, and France, all nuclear-weapon States. Please explain the significance of the FMCT Friends in that respect. Furthermore, how does Japan intend to engage Russia and China in calling for nuclear disarmament?

Minister Kamikawa:First, on the FMCT Friends, as the path toward a world without nuclear weapons becomes more severe, the cooperation of nuclear-weapon States is essential for the realization of a world without nuclear weapons. An FMCT limits the quantitative improvement of nuclear weapons by banning the production of fissile materials for use in nuclear weapons. We believe that increasing political attention on an FMCT, that is, having the UK, the U.S., and France participate in the FMCT Friends, is highly meaningful for steadily advancing realistic and practical efforts.

In addition, there was a question on the method of engaging China and Russia in nuclear disarmament. Today’s UNSC meeting was participated in by nuclear-weapon States, including China and Russia. We view that the meeting provided an opportunity to accelerate substantive discussion between nuclear-weapons States and non-nuclear weapons States toward the NPT Review Conference in 2026.

Building upon the discussions at the UNSC meeting, the Government of Japan will continue and enhance realistic and practical efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons by building on the “G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament” as a solid platform, and implementing each of the initiatives under the “Hiroshima Action Plan.” We also intend to lead the initiatives of the international community.

Reporter:At the UNSC meeting, Member States that have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), including Ecuador and Malta, remarked on the treaty’s importance in complementing the NPT. Please tell us again why you did not refer to the TPNW, as well as Japan’s position. Additionally, as you stated in your speech, there are a number of movements that run counter to nuclear disarmament. What efforts will Japan be making to bring a world without nuclear weapons closer to reality?

Minister Kamikawa:The TPNW is an important treaty that can be described as an exit to “a world without nuclear weapons.” However, not one nuclear-weapon State is participating in the treaty, and a pathway to the “exit” has still not been laid down. Against this backdrop, Japan is working to engage the nuclear-weapon States as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war. With such circumstances in mind, at today’s meeting, Japan emphasized the importance of steadily advancing realistic and practical efforts.

Taking into account, the dialogue at the ministerial meeting, the activities of the FMCT Friends whose establishment was announced today, and the meetings of the International Group of Eminent Persons, Japan will continue and enhance the initiatives under the “Hiroshima Action Plan,” while building on the “G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament” as a solid platform.

Reporter:One more question. At today’s UNSC meeting, the U.S. announced that it will submit a draft UNSC resolution with Japan, calling on Member States not to deploy nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction in outer space. Please explain the facts and Japan’s aim in submitting the draft resolution.

Minister Kamikawa:Japan firmly believes that outer space must remain a domain free of nuclear weapons, and I articulated this Japanese position in my statement earlier today.

On the resolution you are referring to, as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN said in her statement, Japan and the U.S. co-sponsored a UNSC draft resolution underscoring the importance of the Outer Space Treaty and other factors from the viewpoint of maintaining peace and security in outer space.

As this is diplomatic communication, I am unable to disclose any more details, including the status of the UNSC negotiations. Japan will work closely with other Member States and actively implement measures to ensure that the UNSC can fulfill its responsibilities and express its intention in appropriate manners.