Statement by the Foreign Minister
The 11th NPT Review Conference
(Statement by Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu)
May 23, 2026
- The 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which had been held in New York, the United States since April 27, concluded today (May 22, local time).
- The NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and the only universal framework for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in which both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states broadly participate. This Conference was held amid an increasingly severe security environment, including intensifying international conflicts and confrontations, and the prospects of reaching consensus among all NPT States Parties and issuing a final outcome document were by no means bright. In this context, Japan, fulfilling its mission as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, made extensive diplomatic efforts and worked closely with the relevant countries, so that the Conference would realize meaningful outcomes towards maintaining and strengthening the NPT. In advance of the Conference, Japan submitted proposals including recommendations from the "International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons" and proposals regarding the final document prepared as the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI). Japan also issued joint statements as NPDI and as the G7, calling on cooperation by all States Parties toward the Conference. These are just a few examples of Japan's diplomatic efforts.
- At the Conference, Dr. KUNIMITSU Ayano, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered statement at the General Debate, in which she read a message from Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan and called for unity among all State Parties, while conveying the sentiments of the people from atomic bomb sites. Furthermore, the joint statement on disarmament and non-proliferation education, led by Japan, received the endorsement of a record 116 countries, and contributed to fostering an atmosphere conducive to constructive discussions. Subsequently, toward the end of the Conference, Japan dispatched Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and made utmost efforts toward the consensus adoption of a final document, including continuing engagement with Ambassador Do Hung Viet, President of the 11th NPT Review Conference, and delegations from various countries.
- It is extremely regrettable that, ultimately, President has announced that consensus of the final draft document could not be achieved. However, we believe that through the serious discussions held at the Conference, the importance of the NPT as the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime was reaffirmed among States Parties, and that the Conference served as an opportunity to reconfirm each country's commitment to the NPT. We believe this will serve as a foundation for advancing international discussions on nuclear disarmament going forward. We also express our respect for President, who worked hard to prevent division during the difficult proceedings.
- As divisions within the international community over nuclear disarmament continue to deepen, it remains crucial to maintain and strengthen the NPT, in which both nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states participate. Japan seeks to continue to steadily and persistently advance, one step at a time, realistic and practical efforts toward the realizing a world without nuclear weapons.