Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations General Assembly on Agenda Item 89: “Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency”
2024/10/15
(As delivered)
Mr. President,
As nuclear energy once again attracts significant attention due to the rapidly changing international landscape and advances in science and technology, the role of the IAEA is becoming even more critical.
Peaceful uses of nuclear energy hold great expectations as a response to global issues and in the context of the SDGs. Japan has been contributing to the Agency’s activities and the Director General’s initiatives such as “Rays of Hope” for cancer care and “Atoms4Food” for strengthening food security.
The IAEA also plays a prominent role in strengthening the international non-proliferation regime and addressing key challenges in this field. IAEA safeguards are the most fundamental instrument of the regime, and Japan continues to be a strong supporter of the IAEA’s efforts to make these safeguards more efficient and effective.
Mr. President,
The advancement of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs poses a serious challenge to the international non-proliferation regime and is totally unacceptable. Last month, North Korea revealed images of a uranium enrichment facility for the first time, while launching several ballistic missiles. As the latest Director General report points out, “The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable.”
Japan strongly urges North Korea to take concrete steps towards achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles of all ranges and related programs. Japan also urges North Korea to fully comply with the NPT and to cooperate promptly with the Agency in the full and effective implementation of the Agency’s comprehensive safeguards.
I would also like to emphasize the critical importance of full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In this regard, Japan once again expresses its grave concern over the increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, who are blatantly violating the UN Security Council resolution, as this also undermines the international non-proliferation regime.
With regard to Iran's nuclear issues, Japan is seriously concerned about the expansion of its nuclear activities and has been urging Iran to fully and unconditionally cooperate with the IAEA to bring concrete outcomes towards the resolution of all outstanding issues.
In addition, Japan remains gravely concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, including Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the Power Plant should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities.
Japan commends the continuous efforts of the IAEA to deal with these urgent issues.
Mr. President,
Lastly, regarding the discharge of the ALPS treated water, its safety has been substantiated through the IAEA’s monitoring and reviews with the participation of analytical laboratories and international experts worldwide, including that of neighboring countries. Japan appreciates and respects the IAEA's independent, science-based, long-term commitment to this issue, and will continue to strengthen our engagement with domestic and international stakeholders, especially those in the Asia Pacific Region, and to provide transparent explanations to the international community.
I thank you, Mr. President.
As nuclear energy once again attracts significant attention due to the rapidly changing international landscape and advances in science and technology, the role of the IAEA is becoming even more critical.
Peaceful uses of nuclear energy hold great expectations as a response to global issues and in the context of the SDGs. Japan has been contributing to the Agency’s activities and the Director General’s initiatives such as “Rays of Hope” for cancer care and “Atoms4Food” for strengthening food security.
The IAEA also plays a prominent role in strengthening the international non-proliferation regime and addressing key challenges in this field. IAEA safeguards are the most fundamental instrument of the regime, and Japan continues to be a strong supporter of the IAEA’s efforts to make these safeguards more efficient and effective.
Mr. President,
The advancement of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs poses a serious challenge to the international non-proliferation regime and is totally unacceptable. Last month, North Korea revealed images of a uranium enrichment facility for the first time, while launching several ballistic missiles. As the latest Director General report points out, “The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable.”
Japan strongly urges North Korea to take concrete steps towards achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles of all ranges and related programs. Japan also urges North Korea to fully comply with the NPT and to cooperate promptly with the Agency in the full and effective implementation of the Agency’s comprehensive safeguards.
I would also like to emphasize the critical importance of full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In this regard, Japan once again expresses its grave concern over the increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, who are blatantly violating the UN Security Council resolution, as this also undermines the international non-proliferation regime.
With regard to Iran's nuclear issues, Japan is seriously concerned about the expansion of its nuclear activities and has been urging Iran to fully and unconditionally cooperate with the IAEA to bring concrete outcomes towards the resolution of all outstanding issues.
In addition, Japan remains gravely concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, including Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the Power Plant should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities.
Japan commends the continuous efforts of the IAEA to deal with these urgent issues.
Mr. President,
Lastly, regarding the discharge of the ALPS treated water, its safety has been substantiated through the IAEA’s monitoring and reviews with the participation of analytical laboratories and international experts worldwide, including that of neighboring countries. Japan appreciates and respects the IAEA's independent, science-based, long-term commitment to this issue, and will continue to strengthen our engagement with domestic and international stakeholders, especially those in the Asia Pacific Region, and to provide transparent explanations to the international community.
I thank you, Mr. President.