Press Releases
Foreign Minister MOTEGI’s Meeting, Working Dinner and Signing Ceremony with H.E. Dr. Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
On June 26, commencing at 6:40 p.m. for approximately 90 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting and a working dinner with H.E. Dr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during his visit to Japan. The two sides also signed an extension of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Japan and the IAEA on ALPS treated water.
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI welcomed Director General Grossi’s visit to Japan and stated that Japan attaches great importance to the work of the IAEA, which is responsible for two of the three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which are nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
- Minister MOTEGI stated that the 11th Review Conference of the NPT held last month served as an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the NPT and the commitment of each party to the NPT. The two sides concurred on further strengthening cooperation toward maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime.
- Regarding Iran, as the nuclear issue is discussed between the United States and Iran based on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, Minister MOTEGI expressed Japan’s expectations for the IAEA’s contributions and stated that Japan will support such efforts. In response, Director General Grossi explained IAEA’s efforts and positions, and the two sides confirmed that they would also maintain close communication and continue cooperation regarding Iran’s nuclear issue.
- Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI stated that, regarding the safety of the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, Japan continues to provide the international community with relevant information and sincere explanations in a highly transparent manner based on scientific evidence, while cooperating with the IAEA. In addition, Minister MOTEGI noted that the international community is well aware that the IAEA has repeatedly confirmed the peaceful nature of Japan’s nuclear activities over many years, and that Japan continues to closely cooperate with the IAEA in a highly transparent manner, including on safety and security measures. Director General Grossi, referring to his visit to Fukushima the day before yesterday, stated that he was able to confirm the safety of the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea during this visit as well. He further stated that the IAEA will continue to cooperate with Japan’s efforts regarding the discharge with full transparency.
- In addition, regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the two sides exchanged views on cooperation with the IAEA toward early realization of social implementation of next-generation innovative reactors and fusion energy, as well as on collaboration between Japanese companies, universities, and research institutions and the IAEA. The two sides also exchanged views on important international challenges, such as North Korea’s nuclear issue and nuclear safety in Ukraine, and concurred on continuing close cooperation on these matters.
(Reference) Memorandum of Cooperation between Japan and the IAEA Concerning ALPS Treated Water
This Memorandum of Cooperation is on the IAEA’s monitoring and assessment activities concerning the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea at the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. This extension reaffirms the unwavering cooperation between Japan and the IAEA such as its continued review and monitoring.