NPT representative from Japan urges members to reaffirm abolition effort
May 7, 2010
by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer, dispatched from New York
At the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference being held at United Nations Headquarters, representatives from participating countries continued to take the podium on May 4. Tetsuro Fukuyama, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, spoke as a representative from Japan, and urged the states to reaffirm "an unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals," a provision agreed upon at the 2000 NPT Review Conference. In the beginning of his speech, Mr. Fukuyama presented the following message from Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: "As the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, Japan has the moral obligation to spearhead the abolition of nuclear weapons. Japan will pledge to uphold its three non-nuclear principles."
Mr. Fukuyama went on to appeal to the NPT members to share the wish for nuclear abolition championed by the A-bomb survivors, who have been conveying the tragedy of the atomic bombings. He also touched upon the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol, which is advocated by Mayors for Peace and aims at the elimination of nuclear weapons by 2020. With an earnest air, he shared with the audience how Japan will be involved in networking activities within civil society, education for disarmament and non-proliferation, and passing on the experiences of the A-bomb survivors.
In the area of disarmament, in addition to the "unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals," Mr. Fukuyama appealed to the states for, among other requests, transparency with regard to nuclear reductions, public declarations for the reduced role of nuclear weapons by the nuclear powers, and avowals of the "negative security assurance," whereby nuclear-weapon states pledge not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.
In addition, Mr. Fukuyama leveled criticism against the nuclear program pursued by North Korea, calling for that nation to abandon its nuclear quest. He also expressed concern over Iran's nuclear program and called for promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology and the reinforcement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
On the day, representatives from China and France, both nuclear weapon states, as well as Germany and New Zealand, non-nuclear weapon states, addressed the gathering. Speeches by state representatives will continue on May 5.
In contrast to the vow made by Japan to "spearhead the abolition of nuclear weapons," the nation gives the strong impression that it is, in general, simply following the lead of U.S. nuclear policy. The speech had little impact, and it can hardly be said that Japan asserted its unique position as the A-bombed nation.
The ideas on nuclear disarmament, including the reduced role for nuclear weapons, were in line with the working paper Japan submitted to the NPT Review Conference with Australia. With this paper in mind, Mr. Fukuyama praised the U.S. acknowledgement of the number of nuclear warheads it possesses and its agreement to a negative security assurance, though limited in scope.
These are important steps for nuclear reductions. However, Japan did not exercise leadership with regard to changes in U.S. nuclear policy. There should be further proposals to advance the goal of nuclear abolition, including reducing several thousand non-strategic nuclear weapons held by the United States and Russia, pursuing the nuclear weapons convention mentioned by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and others, and setting an initial target deadline for nuclear abolition.
Japan's well-worn suggestions reveal its contradictions and limitations, as it appeals for nuclear abolition while maintaining its security under the protection of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Japan has no recourse to complain if other nations view it in this light.
The speech touched upon the importance of working with civil society and passing on the experiences of the atomic bombings, in consideration of the wish for abolition of the A-bomb survivors, many of whom are visiting New York in conjunction with the NPT Review Conference. These are changes that the new Hatoyama administration has brought about and these aspects of the speech were heartfelt. For this reason, it is regrettable that Japan could not firmly convey its commitment to spearheading later discussions with the member nations.
(Originally published on May 6, 2010)
At the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference being held at United Nations Headquarters, representatives from participating countries continued to take the podium on May 4. Tetsuro Fukuyama, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, spoke as a representative from Japan, and urged the states to reaffirm "an unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals," a provision agreed upon at the 2000 NPT Review Conference. In the beginning of his speech, Mr. Fukuyama presented the following message from Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama: "As the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, Japan has the moral obligation to spearhead the abolition of nuclear weapons. Japan will pledge to uphold its three non-nuclear principles."
Mr. Fukuyama went on to appeal to the NPT members to share the wish for nuclear abolition championed by the A-bomb survivors, who have been conveying the tragedy of the atomic bombings. He also touched upon the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol, which is advocated by Mayors for Peace and aims at the elimination of nuclear weapons by 2020. With an earnest air, he shared with the audience how Japan will be involved in networking activities within civil society, education for disarmament and non-proliferation, and passing on the experiences of the A-bomb survivors.
In the area of disarmament, in addition to the "unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals," Mr. Fukuyama appealed to the states for, among other requests, transparency with regard to nuclear reductions, public declarations for the reduced role of nuclear weapons by the nuclear powers, and avowals of the "negative security assurance," whereby nuclear-weapon states pledge not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.
In addition, Mr. Fukuyama leveled criticism against the nuclear program pursued by North Korea, calling for that nation to abandon its nuclear quest. He also expressed concern over Iran's nuclear program and called for promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology and the reinforcement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
On the day, representatives from China and France, both nuclear weapon states, as well as Germany and New Zealand, non-nuclear weapon states, addressed the gathering. Speeches by state representatives will continue on May 5.
Commentary: Japan fails to assert its unique position as the A-bombed nation
by Yumi Kanazaki and Kohei Okata, Staff Writers
In contrast to the vow made by Japan to "spearhead the abolition of nuclear weapons," the nation gives the strong impression that it is, in general, simply following the lead of U.S. nuclear policy. The speech had little impact, and it can hardly be said that Japan asserted its unique position as the A-bombed nation.
The ideas on nuclear disarmament, including the reduced role for nuclear weapons, were in line with the working paper Japan submitted to the NPT Review Conference with Australia. With this paper in mind, Mr. Fukuyama praised the U.S. acknowledgement of the number of nuclear warheads it possesses and its agreement to a negative security assurance, though limited in scope.
These are important steps for nuclear reductions. However, Japan did not exercise leadership with regard to changes in U.S. nuclear policy. There should be further proposals to advance the goal of nuclear abolition, including reducing several thousand non-strategic nuclear weapons held by the United States and Russia, pursuing the nuclear weapons convention mentioned by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and others, and setting an initial target deadline for nuclear abolition.
Japan's well-worn suggestions reveal its contradictions and limitations, as it appeals for nuclear abolition while maintaining its security under the protection of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Japan has no recourse to complain if other nations view it in this light.
The speech touched upon the importance of working with civil society and passing on the experiences of the atomic bombings, in consideration of the wish for abolition of the A-bomb survivors, many of whom are visiting New York in conjunction with the NPT Review Conference. These are changes that the new Hatoyama administration has brought about and these aspects of the speech were heartfelt. For this reason, it is regrettable that Japan could not firmly convey its commitment to spearheading later discussions with the member nations.
(Originally published on May 6, 2010)
