Press Releases
Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the Confirmation of the Entry into Force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
1. The Government of Japan welcomes that as a result of the deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification etc. required for the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on September 25 (same day local time), the ATT will enter into force on December 24 this year.
2. The Government of Japan has always emphasized the need to formulate an ATT that is effective and capable of attracting participation from a broad range of countries, and Japan fulfilled a proactive and constructive role in the negotiations as a co-author State of the draft resolution. Following the adoption of the ATT by the UN General Assembly, in May this year Japan concluded the Treaty and had been calling on other countries to conclude the Treaty in order to bring it into force promptly.
3. For the ATT to be implemented effectively it is important that a large number of countries, including principal arms trade countries, participate in it. The Government of Japan intends to continue to call on countries that have not yet signed or concluded the ATT to endeavor to sign and ratify it promptly.
(Reference) The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
1. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2013. Japan signed the ATT on June 3, 2013, the day the Treaty opened for signature, and concluded it on May 9, 2014.
2. As of September 25, 2014, 53 countries had concluded the ATT. (In addition to Japan, the ATT has been concluded by Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and Uruguay). 121 countries have signed the ATT.
3. The ATT will enter into force 90 days after the date of the deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval with the Depositary.