Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato says government position remains unchanged and is cautious about participation as observer
Oct. 27, 2020
by Seiji Shitakubo, Staff Writer
At a news conference held on October 26 about Japan’s possible participation as an observer in the meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, set to come into force on January 22 next year, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato (Okayama’s fifth district) only said, “We need to assess the situation carefully.”
The United Nations has called for the participation as an observer in a meeting of States Parties, which will be held after the treaty comes into force, and the government ruling coalition’s junior partner, Komeito, has also urged the government to participate. Mr. Kato said, however, “Given that few details are available about how the meeting will be held and what will be discussed, I am not in a situation to make a specific comment on the matter. We need to assess the situation carefully in light of Japan’s stance on the treaty.”
Although Mr. Kato said about the treaty, “Japan shares the goal of abolishing all nuclear weapons,” he pointed out that support for the treaty has not been widespread among non-nuclear powers as well as nuclear powers. He stressed the government’s position, saying, “It is appropriate to explore ways to advance nuclear disarmament steadily and realistically as the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe.”
When asked about how Japan will persuade the United States, Russia, China and other nations that possess large amounts of nuclear stockpiles, Mr. Kato refused to give a direct answer.
(Originally published on October 27, 2020)
At a news conference held on October 26 about Japan’s possible participation as an observer in the meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, set to come into force on January 22 next year, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato (Okayama’s fifth district) only said, “We need to assess the situation carefully.”
The United Nations has called for the participation as an observer in a meeting of States Parties, which will be held after the treaty comes into force, and the government ruling coalition’s junior partner, Komeito, has also urged the government to participate. Mr. Kato said, however, “Given that few details are available about how the meeting will be held and what will be discussed, I am not in a situation to make a specific comment on the matter. We need to assess the situation carefully in light of Japan’s stance on the treaty.”
Although Mr. Kato said about the treaty, “Japan shares the goal of abolishing all nuclear weapons,” he pointed out that support for the treaty has not been widespread among non-nuclear powers as well as nuclear powers. He stressed the government’s position, saying, “It is appropriate to explore ways to advance nuclear disarmament steadily and realistically as the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe.”
When asked about how Japan will persuade the United States, Russia, China and other nations that possess large amounts of nuclear stockpiles, Mr. Kato refused to give a direct answer.
(Originally published on October 27, 2020)
