Press Releases

1. The Government of Japan congratulates the election of H.E. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the International Organizations in Vienna, as the next Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a result of the balloting process of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna on October 29.

2. After his appointment as the new Director General is approved by the IAEA General Conference, Japan sincerely hopes that he will fulfill his duty through addressing various challenges that the IAEA is facing such as nuclear issues of North Korea and Iran as well as ways to improve the standards of living in developing countries under the "Atoms for Peace and Development".

3. Japan will render its assistance to the fullest extent to the endeavor of new Director General Grossi and continue to work on strengthening the function of the IAEA in close cooperation with other IAEA member States.

4. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our profound respect and appreciation for Mr. Cornel Feruta, the acting Director General of the IAEA, who has been operating the Agency smoothly with his distinguished leadership and outstanding capability in this difficult time after the sudden passing of Director General Amano.