Press Releases
Foreign Minister Hayashi Meets with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
May 19, 2022
On May 19, commencing at around 7:00 p.m., Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting and working dinner with H.E. Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who is visiting Japan upon invitation by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, for approximately 2 hours. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi welcomed Director General Grossi’s first visit to Japan in two years. Minister Hayashi expressed support for the Director General’s efforts to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, noting that Russia’s attacks at the facilities are outrageous. In addition, as an immediate response, the Minister announced the Government of Japan’s decision to extend a total of 2 million euros in assistance for the dispatch of experts and the provision of related equipment to Ukraine, which is of great urgency. In response, Director General Grossi expressed gratitude through the IAEA for Japan’s cooperation in ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, and stated that the IAEA will continue to cooperate closely with Japan.
- Minister Hayashi also expressed appreciation for the IAEA’s cooperation related to the ALPS treated water at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Minister Hayashi stated that Japan, in coordination with the IAEA, will continue to provide thorough explanations to the international community in a highly transparent manner based on scientific evidence to foster understanding in the international community. Director General Grossi mentioned that the IAEA, which provides independent review and monitoring, observed that the process of handling of ALPS treated water is making progress and the two sides concurred to continue to work closely together.
- Minister Hayashi stated that Japan supports Director General Grossi’s initiatives for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and announced assistance of 1 million euros for the Rays of Hope projects for cancer radiation treatment. In response, Director General Grossi expressed appreciation for Japan’s supports.
- The two sides exchanged views regarding strengthening IAEA safeguards from the perspective of nuclear non-proliferation, as well as North Korea’s nuclear and missile issue and the status of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and confirmed to continue coordinating closely on these matters.