Government decides not to participate in TPNW meeting as observer, plans to send ruling party Diet members
Jan. 26, 2025
by Masaharu Nakagawa and Fumiyasu Miyano, Staff Writers
It was learned on January 25 the Japanese government had decided not to participate as an observer in the third meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), to be held in March at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The government had been examining cases of participation by Germany and other countries which are under the “U.S. nuclear umbrella” like Japan, but it is believed the government has decided not to participate because of its position of adhering to its nuclear deterrence policy while the security environment surrounding Japan is severe.
Japan has not signed the TPNW. Since this year marks the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings, the Japanese government has been urged to participate in the meeting at least as an observer by the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), (which won the Nobel Peace Prize), along with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito and others. The government has repeatedly stated it will make a decision taking into account its “historical responsibility” as the A-bombed nation. The government’s attitude is likely to be questioned.
According to several sources, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba did not change his stance on strengthening “extended deterrence,” which involves defending Japan with U.S. conventional and nuclear forces, now that North Korea, China and Russia are developing their nuclear weapons and missiles. It appears his decision was partly due to his emphasis on the importance of a relationship of trust with the U.S., in view of the upcoming summit meeting with President Donald Trump, who is against the TPNW. While the government has decided not to participate, there is a plan to send ruling party Diet members.
During the election for the Presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party in September last year, Mr. Ishiba said observer participation was “one of the options.” In October, after becoming Prime Minister, he said that he would “seriously consider” the matter. Since the end of last year, he has been examining the cases of Germany and Australia, which participated in the meeting as observers in the past. On January 22, he said he had “almost completed” this work.
However, on January 8, when he invited board members of Nihon Hidankyo to the prime minister’s official residence to extend his congratulations on their winning the Nobel Peace Prize, he emphasized the threat from North Korea and China. He also gave his views on the significance of defending against nuclear attacks with shelters on the premise that nuclear weapons exist, disappointing A-bomb survivors.
Keywords
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
The first international treaty to prohibit the development, manufacture, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons. Its preamble refers to the suffering of atomic bomb survivors as well as the efforts made towards nuclear abolition. The treaty was led by countries that do not possess nuclear weapons, such as Austria and Mexico, and was adopted at the United Nations in July 2017. It came into effect in January 2021, and so far, 94 countries and regions have signed it and 73 countries and regions have ratified it.
(Originally published on January 26, 2025)
It was learned on January 25 the Japanese government had decided not to participate as an observer in the third meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), to be held in March at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The government had been examining cases of participation by Germany and other countries which are under the “U.S. nuclear umbrella” like Japan, but it is believed the government has decided not to participate because of its position of adhering to its nuclear deterrence policy while the security environment surrounding Japan is severe.
Japan has not signed the TPNW. Since this year marks the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings, the Japanese government has been urged to participate in the meeting at least as an observer by the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), (which won the Nobel Peace Prize), along with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito and others. The government has repeatedly stated it will make a decision taking into account its “historical responsibility” as the A-bombed nation. The government’s attitude is likely to be questioned.
According to several sources, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba did not change his stance on strengthening “extended deterrence,” which involves defending Japan with U.S. conventional and nuclear forces, now that North Korea, China and Russia are developing their nuclear weapons and missiles. It appears his decision was partly due to his emphasis on the importance of a relationship of trust with the U.S., in view of the upcoming summit meeting with President Donald Trump, who is against the TPNW. While the government has decided not to participate, there is a plan to send ruling party Diet members.
During the election for the Presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party in September last year, Mr. Ishiba said observer participation was “one of the options.” In October, after becoming Prime Minister, he said that he would “seriously consider” the matter. Since the end of last year, he has been examining the cases of Germany and Australia, which participated in the meeting as observers in the past. On January 22, he said he had “almost completed” this work.
However, on January 8, when he invited board members of Nihon Hidankyo to the prime minister’s official residence to extend his congratulations on their winning the Nobel Peace Prize, he emphasized the threat from North Korea and China. He also gave his views on the significance of defending against nuclear attacks with shelters on the premise that nuclear weapons exist, disappointing A-bomb survivors.
Keywords
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
The first international treaty to prohibit the development, manufacture, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons. Its preamble refers to the suffering of atomic bomb survivors as well as the efforts made towards nuclear abolition. The treaty was led by countries that do not possess nuclear weapons, such as Austria and Mexico, and was adopted at the United Nations in July 2017. It came into effect in January 2021, and so far, 94 countries and regions have signed it and 73 countries and regions have ratified it.
(Originally published on January 26, 2025)
