Press Releases
Foreign Minister Hayashi Meets with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
July 4, 2023
On July 4, commencing at around 12:00 p.m., Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting and working lunch with H.E. Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who is making a working visit to Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, for approximately 2 hours. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that Japan always values Director General Grossi’s efforts, including efforts to ensure nuclear safety in Ukraine and tackle the nuclear issues of North Korea and Iran, and stated that Japan, as the G7 Presidency, will continue to work closely with Director General Grossi to address various issues. Regarding Ukraine, Minister Hayashi conveyed his support for the five principles for the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant that Director General Grossi proposed and for the IAEA’s efforts following the collapse of the dam at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.
- As the international security environment becomes more severe, the two sides confirmed to continue to work closely together on regional non-proliferation issues, including the nuclear issues of North Korea and Iran, and strengthening IAEA safeguards, from the perspective of global nuclear non-proliferation.
- For addressing global issues, such as climate change, the two sides concurred on the importance of promoting the IAEA’s work for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including the Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI).
- Minister Hayashi also expressed his gratitude for the impartial and professional efforts of the IAEA with transparency in its safety and regulatory reviews on ALPS treated water, among others. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of discussions based on scientific evidence.