Statement by Mr. SHICHIJO Akira
Senior Vice-Minister for Science and Technology Policy
Delegate of the Government of JapanAt the Forty-ninth General Conference of theInternational Atomic Energy Agency

1. Opening Address
Mr. President,On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like tocongratulate you on your election as President of the 49th
General Conference of the International Atomic Energy
Agency. I am convinced that your extensive experienceand outstanding abilities in steering the proceedings ofinternational conferences will contribute to the success of
this General Conference. I would also like to extend awarm welcome to Belize as a new member of the IAEA.

1

Mr. President, Mr. Director General, Distinguished
Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The role of the IAEA in non-proliferation and the peacefuluse of nuclear energy has become increasingly important
year after year. In this context, Japan highly appreciates
the leading role played by Dr. ElBaradei, who has
contributed to the development of the IAEA in the past 8
years of his two terms of office as Director General. Japan
warmly congratulates him on his re-election as theDirector General for the next term.

2. Strengthening of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime
Mr. President,
The Year 2005 is the 60th anniversary of the first use of
nuclear weapons in the history of mankind. However, thethreat of nuclear weapons is not an old story that has goneaway. The international nuclear non-proliferation regime
is currently facing a number of serious challenges. The2DPRK nuclear issue has become even more critical,
underground networks of nuclear materials and weapons
have come to light, and the risk of the proliferation of
nuclear weapons or material among non-state actors suchas terrorists has grown. Therefore, the strengthening of thenon-proliferation regime is one of the most important andurgent issues for the international community to address.

In this context, it was at least encouraging that there wereno countries that cast doubts on the importance of the NPTin the Review Conference held in New York last May,
although regrettably the Conference could not adopt any
consensus document on the substantive issues. Theinternational community is now required to strongly renew
its

commitment

tonuclear

non-proliferation.

3

disarmamentand

Japan, as the only country that has ever suffered thetragedy of atomic bombings, will never abandon its "Three
Non-nuclear Principles" of “not possessing, not producing
and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons
into Japan”. This year, the 60th anniversary of the atomicbombings, Japan is renewing its determination to continue
its active participation in international efforts towards
disarmament and non-proliferation.

The IAEA is the cornerstone of the international nuclear
non-proliferation regime. It is the responsibility of theentire international community to strengthen the regime byclosing any loopholes in the current regime, and the IAEA
has a significant role to play in this process. In this context,
current discussions about restrictions on the transfer ofequipment and technology of enrichment and reprocessingand Multilateral Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle(MNA) are motivated to prevent the proliferation of4

sensitive nuclear technology, and Japan fully shares thisrecognition. Japan continues to actively participate indiscussions on these initiatives. Japan, however, believes
that the discussion on MNA needs to carefully consider
how it can contribute to strengthening of the international
nuclear non-proliferation regime, and whether it will not
unduly affect the peaceful uses of nuclear energy by
non-nuclear weapon States that carry out nuclear activities
with the confidence of the international community byfaithfully fulfilling their NPT obligations and by ensuringhigh transparency of their nuclear activities.

The strengthening of the IAEA safeguards system is vitalto reinforcing the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Japan
continues to make the utmost efforts towards theuniversalization of the Additional Protocol, which webelieve to be the most realistic and effective means ofachieving this objective. To this end, Japan has been5

conducting active outreach activities, mainly in the Asianregion, such as the Asian Senior-level Talks on
Non-proliferation (ASTOP). Further, Japanese experts will
participate in a seminar on promoting the Additional
Protocol to be held in Australia this coming October.

The Additional Protocol has now been brought into force
in half of the IAEA Member States. This is a significant
step forward and indicates an acceleration of theuniversalization process.

I urge those States that have

not yet concluded an Additional Protocol to do so as soon
as possible. In this context, Japan attaches great
importance on the activities of the Committee on
Safeguards

andVerification,

which

theBoard ofGovernors decided to establish last June.

In Japan, integrated safeguards has been implemented
since September last year. Japan will continuously
6cooperate fully with the IAEA in its strict implementationof safeguards, which hopefully will serve as a usefulexample to other States. We believe that integrated
safeguards is beneficial for the efficient use of the limited
resources of the IAEA. I hope that integrated safeguards
will be applied to more States through further efforts ofboth the IAEA and those States with a good track recordin safeguards.

3. Nuclear Issues of the DPRK and Iran
Mr. President,
In order for any State to exercise its right of peaceful usesof nuclear energy, it is a precondition to secure thetransparency of its nuclear activities through the faithfulimplementation of the IAEA safeguards, and to win theconfidence of the international community.

The DPRK’s nuclear programs, which have been7

conducted without accepting the IAEA safeguards, pose aserious

challengetotheinternational

nuclearnon-proliferation regime underpinned by the NPT and theIAEA. The international community as a whole needs toresolve this issue urgently in a peaceful manner. Japanwelcomes the fact that, at the fourth round of the Six-PartyTalks, an agreement was reached on the joint statementthat indicates the final goal to be achieved by the Talks,
and that the DPRK committed, in this joint statement, toabandoning all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear
programs. These significant achievements are the firststeps towards peaceful resolution of the DPRK’s nuclearissues. Japan believes that it is important for the six parties
to implement this agreement promptly and steadily, and inparticular, to promote constructive dialogues continuously
to reach a concrete agreement on particularities such as
specific procedures for the dismantlement and details ofverification measures.
8

As for the Iranian nuclear issue, a Board of Governors
resolution was adopted on 24 September with the supportof many Board Members, in which the Board, among
others, finds Iran’s non-compliance with its SafeguardsAgreement, and calls on Iran to further cooperate with theIAEA andtoenrichment-related

re-establish
andthesuspension

reprocessing activities.

ofallThisresolution sends a clear message of the international
community to Iran, and Japan values this as an important
step towards resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue
through continued negotiations. Japan strongly urges Iranto take this resolution seriously and respond to it sincerely.
Japan further renews its call for Iran to sincerely
implement all the requirements of the relevant resolutionsof the IAEA Board of Governors, and to return to thenegotiating process with the EU3.

9

4. Nuclear Security
Mr. President,
Since the tragic events of September 11th 2001 in theUnited States, the threat of nuclear terrorism has become
an important issue that the international community needs
to address. In order to prevent nuclear weapons andnuclear or radioactive material from falling into the handsof terrorists, it is essential that the international
community tackle the nuclear security issue through close
cooperation and coordination.

From this viewpoint, Japan welcomes the adoption of theInternational Convention for the Suppression of Acts ofNuclear Terrorism at the General Assembly of the United
Nations in April this year, and the adoption of theamendment of the Convention on the Physical Protectionof Nuclear Material at the diplomatic conference inVienna in July this year. Japan highly values both10

conventions, and sees them as a clear sign of thedetermined attitude of the international community tostrengthen counter measures against nuclear terrorism.
Japan has just signed the International Convention for theSuppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, and isconducting an intensive study for the early conclusion ofboth conventions for the purpose of their early entry intoforce. I would like to urge all States to make the utmost
efforts towards the early conclusion and implementationof these conventions.

Japan will continue to make the most of the Nuclear
Security Fund, and is planning to host an IAEA seminar inTokyo next year to improve nuclear security measures in
the Asia-Pacific region.

The control of radioactive sources is also very important. I
would like to call on all States to enhance their11

commitment to the Code of Conduct on the Safety andSecurity of Radioactive Sources, and the Guidance on theImport and Export of Radioactive Sources.

5. Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
Mr. President, Mr. Director General, Distinguished
Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,Nuclear power, an energy source that is not only stable insupply but also contributes to the prevention of global
warming, is becoming increasingly important in today'sworld.

It goes without saying, that radiologicalapplications

infields

suchas

medical treatment,

agriculture and industry are extremely beneficial for thesocial and economic development of the internationalcommunity.

The role of the IAEA in the peaceful uses of nuclear
energy is also significant. Particular importance is attached12

on technical cooperation with developing countries topromote applications of isotopes and radiation in variousfields. Japan is one of the few Member States that havecontinuously contributed 100% of its share of the IAEA
Technical Cooperation Fund. We strongly encourage all
Member States to pay their share of the TechnicalCooperation Fund in full and without delay. We also urge
recipient countries to fulfill their shared responsibilities.
Japan has been making a significant contribution toregional-level activities of the RCA. Furthermore, Japanwill host the ministerial-level meeting of “Forum for
Nuclear Cooperation in Asia” in Tokyo next December.

Nuclear power is one of the main power sources in Japan.
Japan has continued to develop a nuclear fuel cycle inorder to enhance the advantages of power generation bynuclear energy while ensuring high transparency. We are
currently preparing a new "Policy Framework of Nuclear
13

Energy", which describes our fundamental goals, commonprinciples and basic view points regarding our nuclear
policy for the next 10 year period. In the Framework, thenuclear fuel cycle is to be developed, confirming Japan'slong standing policy.
Since the last General Conference, there have been several
significant steps made in Japan's activities in this area,such as the commencement of the uranium test in thereprocessing facility at Rokkasho and the commencementof the improvement work at FBR “Monju”. Japan willcontinue to develop its nuclear fuel cycle, ensuring safety
as the precondition.

It is also important to consider nuclear energy in the longterm. The ITER project, which aims at the energy
utilization of nuclear fusion, made firm steps forward thisyear. Japan became what could be called the sub-hostcountry as an important nuclear fusion energy research
14

center. We are determined to accomplish our role throughclose cooperation with other parties.

6. Nuclear Safety
To promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, ensuringsafety is the fundamental precondition. We will do our best
to continue to improve our record in nuclear safety. Japan
recognizes international cooperation in the field of nuclear
safety to be very important. We also highly value theIAEA’s activities in nuclear safety and Japan will continue
to make a positive contribution in this field.

7. Transport of Radioactive Material
Mr. President,
The smooth transport of radioactive materials is essential
for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In particular,international transport of radioactive materials is based
upon the right of freedom of navigation established under15international law. In conducting such transport, Japan
employs the most stringent safety measures in accordancewith the international standards set by the relevantinternational organizations and has an excellent 30-yeartrack record in transport safety. At the same time, Japan iswilling to continue dialogue between shipping states andcoastal states in order to build up mutual confidence.
Furthermore, Japan will receive a TranSAS mission thisyear to evaluate our safety regulatory practices in transportof radioactive materials.

8. IAEA Budget and Personnel Affairs
Mr. President,
Sufficient financial support is necessary for the IAEA toplay its expected role. To this end, Japan has supported theFiscal Year 2006 regular budget, including the increased
safeguards budget. However, I would like to call on theSecretariat to continue its efforts towards improving
16

efficiency

inbudgetmanagement

through

theprioritization of projects and reduction of costs. I would
also like to request the Secretariat to cooperate with Japanin increasing the number of Japanese staff at the IAEA.

9. Closing Remarks
Mr. President,
With many important issues accumulating, the role of theIAEA has attracted more attention and expectation. Iwould like to conclude my address by reiterating Japan’scommitment to continuing its active contribution to theIAEA so that the IAEA can fulfill its noble mission.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

17