Japan signals support for Australia’s statement on nuclear weapons
Oct. 22, 2013
by Jumpei Fujimura, Staff Writer
On October 18, the Japanese government announced that it will support a statement on nuclear weapons prepared by Australia. Japan and Australia are partners in an international effort called the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), comprised of non-nuclear states seeking to take coordinated steps to advance the abolition of nuclear arms.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Australian government called for Japan’s support on October 16 in New York (local time), where the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals with disarmament issues, is being held.
While emphasizing the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, the draft of the statement stresses the need for discussions on aspects of security rather than focusing on the “non-use” of these arms. The Japanese government has decided to support this statement in addition to a joint statement prepared by New Zealand and other nations.
In 2010, the governments of Japan and Australia took the lead in establishing the NPDI in advance of the 2015 Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). They will seek to craft realistic and concrete proposals on nuclear disarmament at the NPDI foreign ministers’ meeting to be held in Hiroshima in April 2014.
(Originally published on October 19, 2013)
On October 18, the Japanese government announced that it will support a statement on nuclear weapons prepared by Australia. Japan and Australia are partners in an international effort called the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), comprised of non-nuclear states seeking to take coordinated steps to advance the abolition of nuclear arms.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Australian government called for Japan’s support on October 16 in New York (local time), where the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals with disarmament issues, is being held.
While emphasizing the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, the draft of the statement stresses the need for discussions on aspects of security rather than focusing on the “non-use” of these arms. The Japanese government has decided to support this statement in addition to a joint statement prepared by New Zealand and other nations.
In 2010, the governments of Japan and Australia took the lead in establishing the NPDI in advance of the 2015 Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). They will seek to craft realistic and concrete proposals on nuclear disarmament at the NPDI foreign ministers’ meeting to be held in Hiroshima in April 2014.
(Originally published on October 19, 2013)
