「核実験反対の国際の日」ハイレベル総会会合における別所大使ステートメント
令和元年9月9日
(As delivered)
Mr. Vice President,Colleagues,
The prohibition of nuclear testing has been a critically important and effective pillar in advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. By constraining the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) worked as a brake on the global nuclear arms race. We have not enough ratification so it has not yet entered into force. The existence of the International Day against Nuclear Tests bears testimony to the existence of a de facto international norm against nuclear testing.
We are currently witnessing a deteriorating security environment, a divergence of views on nuclear disarmament, and the growing threat of the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Against this backdrop, we must reassume realistic measures with the cooperation of both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States. Japan believes the CTBT is one of the most important platforms where both sides participate. It is deeply regrettable that some Members have not yet signed and ratified the CTBT and that the Treaty has not yet come into force. Further signatures and ratification will help strengthen the norm against nuclear testing and create momentum for nuclear disarmament. We call upon, especially, the remaining eight Annex II States to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay.
In this context, we welcome the ratification by Zimbabwe in February this year. As a strong supporter of the CTBT, Japan is ready to support international efforts through capacity-building. We have welcomed 254 trainees from 75 states in total to Global Seismological Observation Training since 1995 and will continue further contributions for countries in need of assistance.
Japan also welcomes the continued development of the CTBT verification regime, with nearly 300 verified International Monitoring System (IMS) stations now operating worldwide. The verification regime proved its effectiveness by detecting all six nuclear tests conducted by DPRK. We believe that developing the IMS will contribute as a confidence-building measure between the nuclear weapon States and non-nuclear weapon States. IMS capability depends on data availability. I would like to encourage all signatories to send relevant data to the International Data Center.
With regard to DPRK, we will remain committed to the goal of achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID) of all of its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs and related facilities in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). We call on all members of the international community to fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions.
Next year, 2020, will mark the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It will also be 75 years since nuclear weapons were first used. In such a milestone year, the world is expecting a meaningful outcome of the NPT Review Conference, we will require efforts by all the Parties. Japan looks forward to continuing to work closely with all Member States towards realizing a world free of nuclear weapons.