Statement by Mr. NAKAGAWA Yoshio
Senior Vice-Minister for Cabinet Officeat the 51st General Conference of the IAEA
17 September, 2007
1. Opening Address
Mr. President, Mr. Director General, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies andGentlemen,
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to congratulate you, Mr.
President, on your election as President of the 51st General Conference. I
would also like to welcome the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic ofBurundi, the Republic of Cape Verde, the Republic of Congo, and Nepal,
who are expected to become members of the IAEA.
As the IAEA just celebrated its 50th Anniversary last July, I would like toexpress my heartfelt congratulations to Director General, Dr. ElBaradei,
and the IAEA staff whose work has greatly contributed to the developmentof the Agency.
Mr. President,
On July 16, a powerful earthquake hit the Chuetsu Region in NiigataPrefecture. It was named the Niigata Chuetsu-Oki Earthquake. The
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, located very near to theepicenter, experienced a violent shake. All the operating nuclear reactors
had been shut down safely as designed and there was no effect on thesurrounding environment. However, some of the plant’s non-safety related
constructions, systems, and components were largely affected. Moredetailed inspections by the Japanese authorities are ongoing and there-evaluation of the seismic safety for every nuclear power plant unit isbeing performed.
I believe that it is our duty as one of the world’s most earthquake-prone
countries to share the lessons learned from this experience internationallyand to contribute to the further enhancement of safety measures. This is
why Japan decided to receive the IAEA Expert Mission last month. We are1

most grateful for the prompt report we received based on the detailed
observations it performed.
Japan will provide relevant information and share lessons learned at theupcoming Senior Regulators Meeting. We also plan to hold an international
experts workshop. Japan is determined to continue to do its utmost toenhance international nuclear safety.
2. The Role of the IAEA and Japan’s Contribution in Peaceful Uses ofNuclear Energy
Mr. President,
In recent years, in view of increasing energy demand and global warming,the introduction of nuclear power generation is expected to expand
worldwide as a pivotal means to ensure steady energy supply and to combat
global warming.
In May this year, Japanese Prime Minister Abe introduced his new proposal
called “Cool Earth 50” to address global warming. It is mentioned in theproposal that Japan will promote international efforts to expand safe andpeaceful uses of nuclear power, and to provide assistance such as
infrastructure development for introduction of nuclear power to developing
countries, with a view to establishing an effective post-2012 internationalframework.
In introducing or expanding the use of nuclear energy, it is essential to fully
ensure nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security. From this perspective,
the role of the IAEA has become even more important. The IAEA iscurrently preparing a document, entitled “Milestones in the Developmentof a National Nuclear Power Infrastructure,” which provides guidelines forinfrastructure development when introducing nuclear power generation.
Japan highly appreciates this timely work of the IAEA.
International cooperation, through bilateral or multilateral informationexchange and experience sharing, or through the relevant internationalorganization, needs to be promoted in order to make effective use of theknowledge and results gained through nuclear science technology. I feel2

confident that the technology and experiences Japan has acquired over theyears in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy can be usefully sharedin order to maintain and strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation, safety,and security.
Next year, Japan will start to develop safe, reliable and cost-effective next
generation light-water reactors in earnest. Japan will also continue toparticipate actively in international frameworks such as Generation IV
International Forum (GIF), Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP),
the IAEA International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and FuelCycles (INPRO), and to promote international cooperation in developing
generation IV reactors and medium and small reactors which contribute to
the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear non-proliferation.
Yesterday, the GNEP Statement of Principle was signed at GNEP
Ministerial Meeting, attended by a number of new partners. Now,
cooperation under this new framework is about to start.
Japan, in cooperation with the IAEA, provides assistance for infrastructuredevelopment necessary to secure nuclear non-proliferation, safety, andsecurity, to those countries planning to introduce nuclear power generation,such as Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam.
Japan makes a considerable contribution to the Regional Cooperative
Agreement for Research, Development and Training (RCA) and also
supports the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA), in light of theimportant role which they perform. The FNCA is a framework to facilitate
voluntary cooperation among the countries in the region through the equal
partnership. It plays an important role in promoting the peaceful uses ofnuclear energy in the Asian region. Japan actively supports cooperation
through such regional frameworks.
As a citizen of the only country that has suffered atomic bombings, I holdthe firm belief that nuclear weapons should never be used again. Nuclear
energy, if used with caution and reason, can bring us the blessings of more
comfortable, affluent living. Japan has strictly limited the use of nuclear
energy to peaceful purposes since the enactment of the Atomic Energy
3Basic Law in 1955 upon the introduction of nuclear power. Since then, wehave come a long way to gain international confidence through, amongothers, faithful implementation of the IAEA safeguards agreement
concluded in 1977, the early conclusion of the Additional Protocol, andimplementation of integrated safeguards. In Japan, further utilization ofnuclear energy is expected, as seen in the progress for starting the industrial
operation of the Rokkasho large-scale commercial reprocessing plant in
Aomori Prefecture. Japan continues to uphold its established policy on thepeaceful uses of nuclear energy through the strict application of safeguards.
3. Strengthening of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime
Mr. President,
The international community currently faces a number of serious
challenges, such as the nuclear issues concerning the DPRK and Iran, theproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means, andthe threat of nuclear terrorism. Nuclear proliferation is a threat tointernational peace and security and there is a pressing need to strengthen
the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
The First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 NPT Review
Conference was held here in Vienna from April to May this year, under thechairmanship of the Resident Representative of Japan, Ambassador Amano.
Despite some difficulties, we reached common recognition of the need topromote all three pillars of the NPT, namely nuclear disarmament, nuclear
non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Committee
thus made a good start toward the success of the 2010 Review Conference.
It was an important step in reinforcing the NPT regime.
The strengthening of the IAEA safeguards system is vital to reinforcing thenuclear non-proliferation regime. Japan believes that universalization of theAdditional Protocol is the most realistic and effective way to achieve thisobjective. We have been conducting various activities to this end, focusing
on the Asian region. Recent examples include the IAEA safeguards
regional seminar held in Sydney in July last year and the National Seminaron Additional Protocol held in Hanoi, Vietnam, last month in cooperation
with Australia and the IAEA. I am pleased to learn that the Government of4Vietnam signed the Additional Protocol last month. Progress has been madein universalization, with the number of the countries who have concluded
the Additional Protocol increasing from 39 to 83 over the last three years. I
would like to take this opportunity to call upon those States that have notyet concluded an Additional Protocol to do so as soon as possible.
Mr. President,
The nuclear test proclaimed by the DPRK in October last year, combinedwith its buildup of ballistic missiles capabilities, is a threat to the peace andsecurity of not only Japan but also East Asia and the entire international
community, and represents a serious challenge to the NPT regime. In thisrespect, it is important that United Nations Security Council Resolution
1718 is steadily implemented. The Initial Actions agreed at the Six-PartyTalks, including the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear facility, have beenimplemented. We are currently discussing the “next phase.” Japan
continues to actively work towards a peaceful resolution of nuclear issues
within the framework of the Six-Party Talks, with a view to resolving
outstanding issues concerned with the DPRK, including abductions,
nuclear and missile issues, and realizing the normalization of relations withthe DPRK. Japan has made a positive contribution to the Agency’s
monitoring and verification activities in the DPRK.
Mr. President,
Iran’s continuation and expansion of uranium enrichment-related activities
in defiance of calls from the international community has been muchregretted. Japan hopes that Iran will sincerely cooperate with the IAEA inorder to resolve the “outstanding issues.” It should be noted, however, thatresolving these outstanding issues alone will not remove all concern heldby the international community regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Iran hasto make further efforts to restore the confidence of the international
community by responding sincerely to the requirements set forth by therelevant IAEA Board resolutions and UN Security Council Resolutions,
including the suspension of uranium enrichment-related activities andheavy-water related program, as well as the ratification and implementationof the Additional Protocol. Japan continues to work for a peaceful anddiplomatic resolution of the issue in concert with the international
5community.
Mr. President,
A number of proposals have been presented regarding the assurance of
nuclear fuel supply, which aims to promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy
while ensuring non-proliferation requirements. Japan also presented its
proposal with a view to contributing to the development of a possible newframework which is effective and widely acceptable to Member States.
Japan appreciates the submission of a report by Director General last June,
which was prepared based on these proposals. Japan looks forward tosubstantive discussions at the IAEA, and will continue to take active part insuch discussions.
4. Measures against Nuclear Terrorism
Mr. President,
It is imperative that the international community collectively address theissue of nuclear security in order to counter the threat of nuclear terrorism.
From this viewpoint, Japan welcomes the entry into force of theInternational Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.
I am pleased to inform you that in August this year Japan became a stateparty to this Convention. We are also conducting internal consultations foran early conclusion of the Amendment to the Convention on PhysicalProtection of Nuclear Material. In November last year, Japan hosted anIAEA seminar on strengthening nuclear security in the Asian region,
utilizing its contribution to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund. Japan willcontinue to actively participate in the Agency’s activities in this field.
The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GI) announced by U.S.
and Russian Presidents in July last year acknowledges the importance of
the Agency’s role and activities in the field of nuclear security. Since its
inception, Japan has supported this Initiative and has participated actively
as an initial partner. Japan will continue to work together with theinternational community regarding measures against nuclear terrorism,
including the Global Initiative, taking into account the important role of theIAEA in this area.

65. Nuclear Safety
Mr. President,
Ensuring safety is the fundamental precondition for promoting the peacefuluses of nuclear energy. High-level policy dialogue and a peer review
among the regulatory authorities of the countries with advanced nuclear
safety regulations are useful in this respect. Japan received an IAEA
Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team last June. We arepleased to share the result of the review with nuclear power user countries
and contribute to enhancing nuclear safety internationally.
Last year, the evaluation of comprehensive checks on power generation
facilities was conducted in Japan and its results and responses werecompiled last April. It was part of our continuing effort since 2003 tostrengthen safety regulations in order to prevent a recurrence of data
falsification at power generation facilities of utilities. We will continue to
do our utmost to ensure nuclear safety.
Mr. President,
The safe transport of radioactive material is essential for the peaceful usesof nuclear energy. Based on the right of freedom of navigation under theinternational law, Japan has conducted such transport, while employing themost stringent safety measures in accordance with the international
standards, and will continue to do so. Japan also engages in dialogue withshipping and coastal states, building confidence and enhancing mutual
understanding. We hope that the usefulness of such constructive dialogue aswell as the Agency’s valuable activities in this area will be further
recognized in other international organizations such as the United Nations.
6. IAEA Budget
Mr. President,
The role of the IAEA in ensuring international peace and security isincreasing more than ever. Thus, it is an important task to consider various
ways and means of ensuring continuing support for the Agency’s activities
against the background of the serious budgetary constraint of donor
countries. Japan will follow closely the study of the next 10 year-budgetaryrequirements and the work of a high-level panel of experts proposed by7

Director General. We urge the Secretariat to make efficient use of thebudget through project prioritization and cost reduction, making full use ofits management know-how.
7. Closing Remarks
Mr. President,With many difficult issues accumulating, the importance of the IAEA canonly grow. I assure you of Japan’s continued support for the IAEA infulfilling its important mission.
Thank you for your attention.

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