Press Releases
State Minister Seiji Kihara Receives a Courtesy Call from International Atomic Energy Agency Governors and Other Officials
October 20, 2015
1 On October 20, commencing at 10:30 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Seiji Kihara, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from six governors and other officials (France, Ghana, Namibia, Pakistan, Uruguay and Paraguay) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) currently visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
2 At the beginning, State Minister Kihara welcomed the visit of the governors and officials to Japan, and expressed his hope that they would deepen their understanding of Japan's efforts for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including the advanced use of radiation and the country's efforts following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident. State Minister Kihara also stated that this year marks 70 years since the atomic bombings, and expressed his intent to continue to steadily strengthen efforts for both disarmament and non-proliferation on the basis of the desire to pursue ''a world free of nuclear weapons.'' Furthermore, he stated that the role of the IAEA has become even more important with regard to matters such as the peaceful use of nuclear technology and North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues, and expressed his hope to cooperate closely with the IAEA members.
3 In response, the IAEA governors and other officials expressed their gratitude for the invitation to Japan and their hope to deepen their understanding of Japan's efforts for peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear safety. Furthermore, they stated that Japan is making important contributions to the Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) and other IAEA activities, and expressed their hope to strengthen the collaboration between Japan and their respective countries at the IAEA.
2 At the beginning, State Minister Kihara welcomed the visit of the governors and officials to Japan, and expressed his hope that they would deepen their understanding of Japan's efforts for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including the advanced use of radiation and the country's efforts following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident. State Minister Kihara also stated that this year marks 70 years since the atomic bombings, and expressed his intent to continue to steadily strengthen efforts for both disarmament and non-proliferation on the basis of the desire to pursue ''a world free of nuclear weapons.'' Furthermore, he stated that the role of the IAEA has become even more important with regard to matters such as the peaceful use of nuclear technology and North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues, and expressed his hope to cooperate closely with the IAEA members.
3 In response, the IAEA governors and other officials expressed their gratitude for the invitation to Japan and their hope to deepen their understanding of Japan's efforts for peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear safety. Furthermore, they stated that Japan is making important contributions to the Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) and other IAEA activities, and expressed their hope to strengthen the collaboration between Japan and their respective countries at the IAEA.