42nd IAEA General Conference

Japan, Mr. Yamato Inaba, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Science and Technology:

The delegate welcomed Honduras and Angola as new members to the IAEA. He noted that Japan, together with other countries, has been making every effort to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. As one of the first countries to sign the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement, he noted that Japan's National Diet approved its ratification in July of this year and that the Government is currently preparing to implement revised domestic legislation in this regard. He expressed the strong hope that those signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that have not yet concluded a comprehensive safeguards agreement would do so, and that all States would conclude the Additional Protocol. He also acknowledged Japan's appreciation that the nuclear-weapon States are firmly maintaining their readiness to accept IAEA safeguards under the NPT. He noted that at last meeting of the Tokyo Forum for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament in July, 17 major proposals were submitted and expressed the hope that all countries would examine these proposals seriously. The delegate strongly urged the Disarmament Conference in Geneva to engage in negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty and indicated that, as the President-designate of the upcoming conference on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Japan would endeavour to accelerate the early entry into force of CTBT. He noted also that Japan looked forward to progress in the discussions between the US, Russia, and the Agency to allow IAEA monitoring of plutonium in excess of that required for defense purposes. As part of its international commitment to global disarmament, Japan announced at the Cologne G8 Summit that it would provide some $200 million for projects to assist countries of the former Soviet Union dismantle their nuclear weapons. With respect to Agency efforts to strengthen safeguards by integrating the current measures with those included in the Additional Protocol, in view of the current budgetary situation, the delegate indicated that such efforts should increase efficiency without budget increases and urged the IAEA to accelerate discussion on implementation of these integrated safeguards measures. The delegate re-affirmed Japan's willingness to support improvements in the safety of nuclear power generation, through training in countries of the former USSR and in Central and Eastern Europe and technical support to developing countries. He noted the support provided to the Technical Co-operation Fund, the Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research and Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology, as well as the Forum for Nuclear Co-operation in Asia and indicated that Japan would continue to provide as much support as possible in these fields. Japan continues to support the Light Water Reactor Project operation by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization as preparations for construction reach the finale stage and, recognizing that North Korea must first comply with the IAEA safeguards agreement, will continue to give full support to, and co-operate with, the IAEA activities related to this issue. On administrative matters, the delegate urged the Agency to scrutinize its work to try to achieve a zero nominal growth budget and ensure that available funds are distributed effectively for essential activities. He anticipated that the General Conference would reach agreement about amendments to Article VI of the IAEA Statute. The delegate summarized Japan's nuclear energy policy which promotes private fuel reprocessing activities and the use of MOX fuel in light water reactors, whereby plutonium and other material recovered by processing spent fuel are reused to provide a long-term source of energy. He also re-iterated Japan's commitment to peaceful use of nuclear energy and that in order to improve transparency of plutonium use, Japan would annually publish a status report on the amount of plutonium stocked in accordance with International Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium.

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Japan, Mr. Yamato Inaba, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Science and Technology:



The delegate welcomed Honduras and Angola as new members to the IAEA. He noted that Japan, together with other countries, has been making every effort to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. As one of the first countries to sign the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement, he noted that Japan's National Diet approved its ratification in July of this year and that the Government is currently preparing to implement revised domestic legislation in this regard. He expressed the strong hope that those signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that have not yet concluded a comprehensive safeguards agreement would do so, and that all States would conclude the Additional Protocol. He also acknowledged Japan's appreciation that the nuclear-weapon States are firmly maintaining their readiness to accept IAEA safeguards under the NPT. He noted that at last meeting of the Tokyo Forum for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament in July, 17 major proposals were submitted and expressed the hope that all countries would examine these proposals seriously. The delegate strongly urged the Disarmament Conference in Geneva to engage in negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty and indicated that, as the President-designate of the upcoming conference on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Japan would endeavour to accelerate the early entry into force of CTBT. He noted also that Japan looked forward to progress in the discussions between the US, Russia, and the Agency to allow IAEA monitoring of plutonium in excess of that required for defense purposes. As part of its international commitment to global disarmament, Japan announced at the Cologne G8 Summit that it would provide some $200 million for projects to assist countries of the former Soviet Union dismantle their nuclear weapons. With respect to Agency efforts to strengthen safeguards by integrating the current measures with those included in the Additional Protocol, in view of the current budgetary situation, the delegate indicated that such efforts should increase efficiency without budget increases and urged the IAEA to accelerate discussion on implementation of these integrated safeguards measures. The delegate re-affirmed Japan's willingness to support improvements in the safety of nuclear power generation, through training in countries of the former USSR and in Central and Eastern Europe and technical support to developing countries. He noted the support provided to the Technical Co-operation Fund, the Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research and Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology, as well as the Forum for Nuclear Co-operation in Asia and indicated that Japan would continue to provide as much support as possible in these fields. Japan continues to support the Light Water Reactor Project operation by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization as preparations for construction reach the finale stage and, recognizing that North Korea must first comply with the IAEA safeguards agreement, will continue to give full support to, and co-operate with, the IAEA activities related to this issue. On administrative matters, the delegate urged the Agency to scrutinize its work to try to achieve a zero nominal growth budget and ensure that available funds are distributed effectively for essential activities. He anticipated that the General Conference would reach agreement about amendments to Article VI of the IAEA Statute. The delegate summarized Japan's nuclear energy policy which promotes private fuel reprocessing activities and the use of MOX fuel in light water reactors, whereby plutonium and other material recovered by processing spent fuel are reused to provide a long-term source of energy. He also re-iterated Japan's commitment to peaceful use of nuclear energy and that in order to improve transparency of plutonium use, Japan would annually publish a status report on the amount of plutonium stocked in accordance with International Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium.