First Meeting of States Parties to TPNW: World watching closely how A-bombed Japan will strive to involve nuclear weapons states
Jun. 25, 2022
by Kana Kobayashi, Staff Writer
The First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) concluded in Vienna, Austria on June 23. Representatives of governments from various countries engaged in discussions about the treaty — which prohibits the development, possession, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons for the first time in human history — with the aim of enhancing its effectiveness. The treaty is a significant achievement for proceeding toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, numerous issues remain regarding how to involve nuclear powers and their allies in the treaty, and how to promote coordination with existing nuclear disarmament regimes, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The action plan adopted on the final day of the meeting will serve as guidelines for resolving such issues, but Japan’s own prospects for involvement in the TPNW are unclear at this time.
On June 23, the final day of the meeting, Alexander Kmentt, director of disarmament, arms control and nonproliferation at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and serving in the role of conference chair, declared adoption of the action plan. Announcement of the plan, which is comprised of 50 actions, caused the venue to be inundated with joyful applause. Smiles spread across the faces of the A-bomb survivors and members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that were in attendance at the conference from Japan.
Serving as complement to NPT
The action plan has as its goal an increase in the numbers of treaty signatures and ratifications. As a backdrop behind that goal is the fact that none of the nuclear powers has yet joined the TPNW, as well as the fact that the treaty’s consistency with the NPT—which limits the possession of nuclear weapons to five countries, the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—is under question.
Nuclear weapons states oppose the TPNW based on the reasoning that the treaty will deepen the gap between the nuclear and non-nuclear states and undermine the NPT regime. Given that, the action plan positions the TPNW as something that can be used as a complement to the NPT toward nuclear disarmament. The action plan also stipulates the appointment of an informal facilitator to explore areas for cooperation between the TPNW and the NPT.
Regarding assistance for nuclear victims and environmental remediation, the action plan calls for promotion of information exchange with states that have used or tested nuclear weapons but are not party to the TPNW. It also mentions that the feasibility of establishing an international fund for states that have been affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons will be deliberated.
Declaration of Japan’s role as ”bridge” for mediation
Japan has particular knowledge and information about damage caused by nuclear weapons, such as assistance and medical care provided for nuclear victims. The country is a signatory to the NPT, and the government has declared itself to be a bridge between nuclear and non-nuclear states. However, it has not ratified the TPNW and did not participate in the first meeting as an observer on the grounds that none of the nuclear weapons states has yet joined the treaty. Japan is recognized to be the most suitable for the facilitator role outlined in the TPNW action plan. However, Japan lacked any presence at the first meeting.
After the meeting ended, Akira Kawasaki, international steering committee member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a non-governmental organization that greatly contributed to establishment of the TPNW, voiced his own opinion. “If Japan sincerely hopes to serve as a bridge in that way, I’d like the government to seek cooperation with non-nuclear states,” said Mr. Kawasaki.
In his closing address, Mr. Kmentt said, “Although the trend in the international community surrounding nuclear weapons is wrong, we are heading in the right direction. The road ahead has been prepared,” as he stressed the significance of the three-day conference. The world will now watch closely for signs of the A-bombed Japan’s actions.
(Originally published on June 25, 2022)
The First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) concluded in Vienna, Austria on June 23. Representatives of governments from various countries engaged in discussions about the treaty — which prohibits the development, possession, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons for the first time in human history — with the aim of enhancing its effectiveness. The treaty is a significant achievement for proceeding toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, numerous issues remain regarding how to involve nuclear powers and their allies in the treaty, and how to promote coordination with existing nuclear disarmament regimes, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The action plan adopted on the final day of the meeting will serve as guidelines for resolving such issues, but Japan’s own prospects for involvement in the TPNW are unclear at this time.
On June 23, the final day of the meeting, Alexander Kmentt, director of disarmament, arms control and nonproliferation at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and serving in the role of conference chair, declared adoption of the action plan. Announcement of the plan, which is comprised of 50 actions, caused the venue to be inundated with joyful applause. Smiles spread across the faces of the A-bomb survivors and members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that were in attendance at the conference from Japan.
Serving as complement to NPT
The action plan has as its goal an increase in the numbers of treaty signatures and ratifications. As a backdrop behind that goal is the fact that none of the nuclear powers has yet joined the TPNW, as well as the fact that the treaty’s consistency with the NPT—which limits the possession of nuclear weapons to five countries, the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—is under question.
Nuclear weapons states oppose the TPNW based on the reasoning that the treaty will deepen the gap between the nuclear and non-nuclear states and undermine the NPT regime. Given that, the action plan positions the TPNW as something that can be used as a complement to the NPT toward nuclear disarmament. The action plan also stipulates the appointment of an informal facilitator to explore areas for cooperation between the TPNW and the NPT.
Regarding assistance for nuclear victims and environmental remediation, the action plan calls for promotion of information exchange with states that have used or tested nuclear weapons but are not party to the TPNW. It also mentions that the feasibility of establishing an international fund for states that have been affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons will be deliberated.
Declaration of Japan’s role as ”bridge” for mediation
Japan has particular knowledge and information about damage caused by nuclear weapons, such as assistance and medical care provided for nuclear victims. The country is a signatory to the NPT, and the government has declared itself to be a bridge between nuclear and non-nuclear states. However, it has not ratified the TPNW and did not participate in the first meeting as an observer on the grounds that none of the nuclear weapons states has yet joined the treaty. Japan is recognized to be the most suitable for the facilitator role outlined in the TPNW action plan. However, Japan lacked any presence at the first meeting.
After the meeting ended, Akira Kawasaki, international steering committee member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a non-governmental organization that greatly contributed to establishment of the TPNW, voiced his own opinion. “If Japan sincerely hopes to serve as a bridge in that way, I’d like the government to seek cooperation with non-nuclear states,” said Mr. Kawasaki.
In his closing address, Mr. Kmentt said, “Although the trend in the international community surrounding nuclear weapons is wrong, we are heading in the right direction. The road ahead has been prepared,” as he stressed the significance of the three-day conference. The world will now watch closely for signs of the A-bombed Japan’s actions.
(Originally published on June 25, 2022)
