Japan’s Prime Minister addresses NPT Review Conference for first time, presenting action plan with five pillars and criticizing Russia’s threats
Aug. 2, 2022
by Kana Kobayashi and Koji Higuchi, Staff Writers (reporting from New York City)
On August 1, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference, in which government representatives of about 190 countries and regions are to discuss a path toward nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, was held for the first time in seven years, this time at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The main focus of the conference involves whether a final statement will be adopted at the conference conclusion. Fumio Kishida, the first prime minister from Japan to attend the conference, addressed the gathering in English, presenting an action plan consisting of five pillars, which included the importance of continuation of the non-use of nuclear weapons. “We must take every realistic measure toward a world without nuclear weapons step by step, however difficult the path may be,” urged Mr. Kishida.
Referring at the beginning of his speech to the threat of nuclear weapons use by Russia following that country’s invasion of Ukraine, he expressed a profound sense of crisis. “(It) has contributed to the worldwide concern that yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapons use is a real possibility,” Mr. Kishida said. Touching on the idea that maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime is in the interest of the entire international community, he proposed that Japan serve as the treaty’s “guardian.”
The prime minister then revealed the “Hiroshima Action Plan.” Explaining the continuation of the non-use of nuclear weapons as the plan’s first priority, he emphasized that “we should never tolerate the threat of the use of nuclear weapons… made recently by Russia, let alone the use of nuclear weapons.” The plan’s other actions include enhancement of the transparency of nuclear arsenals; maintenance of the trend of decreasing global nuclear stockpiles; achievement of nuclear non-proliferation and promotion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and encouragement of visits by international leaders to the A-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In connection with such issues, Mr. Kishida introduced his plan to convene a summit meeting for world leaders of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in conjunction with the holding of the UN General Assembly in September, later this year. He also called attention to the meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons, to be held in Hiroshima City on November 23. Mr. Kishida then introduced the idea of contributing 10 million dollars to the United Nations with the aim of establishing a “Youth Leader Fund” for a world without nuclear weapons, inviting young people to Japan to learn firsthand the realities of nuclear weapons use.
Prior to the prime minister’s speech, Argentine diplomat Gustava Zlanvinen was elected to serve as chair of the meeting. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, expressed his concern over the growing threat of nuclear weapons. “Humanity is in danger of forgetting the lessons forged in the terrifying fires of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” said Mr. Guterres. General deliberations by the government representatives will continue through August 4. A-bomb survivors are scheduled to voice their wishes for the abolition of nuclear weapons on August 5, during the time in which presentations are to be made by non-governmental organizations (NGO).
The previous NPT Review Conference, in 2015, failed to adopt a final statement due to disagreement over the issue of denuclearization of the Middle East. In addition to the situation in Ukraine, which represents a significant obstacle, deep divisions exist between non-nuclear weapons states and nuclear weapons states about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), for which the First Meeting of States Parties was recently held in June. The challenge at this NPT meeting is how participating countries will reach a compromise to avert a possible breakdown for the second time in a row.
In New York City, in an attempt to encourage nuclear abolition by communicating the inhumanity of nuclear weapons to the international community, aging survivors are to communicate their A-bomb experiences and the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations will hold an A-bombing exhibit. In the year marking the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the international community now stands at a crossroads for a decision regarding which path to take going forward: nuclear disarmament or a nuclear arms race.
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Entering into force in 1970, the NPT was ratified by Japan in 1976. In 1995, it was decided that the NPT would be indefinitely extended. While the possession of nuclear weapons under the treaty is permitted for the five countries of the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, the NPT grants nations prohibited from the production or possession of nuclear weapons the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. About 190 countries and regions have joined the treaty. Israel, India, and Pakistan, de facto nuclear states, have not joined the NPT. North Korea declared its withdrawal from the NPT in 2003. The NPT Review Conference is held every five years, but the current meeting was postponed for more than two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
(Originally published on August 2, 2022)
On August 1, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference, in which government representatives of about 190 countries and regions are to discuss a path toward nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, was held for the first time in seven years, this time at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The main focus of the conference involves whether a final statement will be adopted at the conference conclusion. Fumio Kishida, the first prime minister from Japan to attend the conference, addressed the gathering in English, presenting an action plan consisting of five pillars, which included the importance of continuation of the non-use of nuclear weapons. “We must take every realistic measure toward a world without nuclear weapons step by step, however difficult the path may be,” urged Mr. Kishida.
Referring at the beginning of his speech to the threat of nuclear weapons use by Russia following that country’s invasion of Ukraine, he expressed a profound sense of crisis. “(It) has contributed to the worldwide concern that yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapons use is a real possibility,” Mr. Kishida said. Touching on the idea that maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime is in the interest of the entire international community, he proposed that Japan serve as the treaty’s “guardian.”
The prime minister then revealed the “Hiroshima Action Plan.” Explaining the continuation of the non-use of nuclear weapons as the plan’s first priority, he emphasized that “we should never tolerate the threat of the use of nuclear weapons… made recently by Russia, let alone the use of nuclear weapons.” The plan’s other actions include enhancement of the transparency of nuclear arsenals; maintenance of the trend of decreasing global nuclear stockpiles; achievement of nuclear non-proliferation and promotion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and encouragement of visits by international leaders to the A-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In connection with such issues, Mr. Kishida introduced his plan to convene a summit meeting for world leaders of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in conjunction with the holding of the UN General Assembly in September, later this year. He also called attention to the meeting of the International Group of Eminent Persons, to be held in Hiroshima City on November 23. Mr. Kishida then introduced the idea of contributing 10 million dollars to the United Nations with the aim of establishing a “Youth Leader Fund” for a world without nuclear weapons, inviting young people to Japan to learn firsthand the realities of nuclear weapons use.
Prior to the prime minister’s speech, Argentine diplomat Gustava Zlanvinen was elected to serve as chair of the meeting. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, expressed his concern over the growing threat of nuclear weapons. “Humanity is in danger of forgetting the lessons forged in the terrifying fires of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” said Mr. Guterres. General deliberations by the government representatives will continue through August 4. A-bomb survivors are scheduled to voice their wishes for the abolition of nuclear weapons on August 5, during the time in which presentations are to be made by non-governmental organizations (NGO).
The previous NPT Review Conference, in 2015, failed to adopt a final statement due to disagreement over the issue of denuclearization of the Middle East. In addition to the situation in Ukraine, which represents a significant obstacle, deep divisions exist between non-nuclear weapons states and nuclear weapons states about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), for which the First Meeting of States Parties was recently held in June. The challenge at this NPT meeting is how participating countries will reach a compromise to avert a possible breakdown for the second time in a row.
In New York City, in an attempt to encourage nuclear abolition by communicating the inhumanity of nuclear weapons to the international community, aging survivors are to communicate their A-bomb experiences and the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations will hold an A-bombing exhibit. In the year marking the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the international community now stands at a crossroads for a decision regarding which path to take going forward: nuclear disarmament or a nuclear arms race.
Keyword
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Entering into force in 1970, the NPT was ratified by Japan in 1976. In 1995, it was decided that the NPT would be indefinitely extended. While the possession of nuclear weapons under the treaty is permitted for the five countries of the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, the NPT grants nations prohibited from the production or possession of nuclear weapons the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. About 190 countries and regions have joined the treaty. Israel, India, and Pakistan, de facto nuclear states, have not joined the NPT. North Korea declared its withdrawal from the NPT in 2003. The NPT Review Conference is held every five years, but the current meeting was postponed for more than two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
(Originally published on August 2, 2022)
