(As delivered)

  

Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

At the Security Council Briefing on

“Implementation of the Note S/2010/507”

29 January 2016

 

Mr. President, Embajador Elbio Rosselli,

 

Let me begin by congratulating you on a successful Security Council presidency.

 

It is my honour to be the first speaker to share our observations over this month as a newly elected member.

 

Japan welcomes today’s formal wrap-up session.

 

We also welcome your initiative to have an informal session this afternoon, which permits us to have an interactive dialogue with the wider United Nations membership.

 

Since this session is in open format, let me suggest to you, Elbio, to start this afternoon’s informal session with questions and answers.

 

Mr. President,

 

First let me touch upon the working methods of the Council.

 

I would like to remind all Council members that, in the presidential note 507, para 29, all participants of SC meetings are encouraged to deliver their statements in five minutes or less.

 

Making a short statement is not easy. Winston Churchill once said “If I had more time, I would have written a short letter.”

 

Well, let me try to follow five minutes rule.

 

Mr. President,

 

During the month of January, the Security Council has dealt with many difficult issues.

 

Among these issues, I would like to concentrate on the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on January 6th.

 

The test was a clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions and international non-proliferation regime.

 

It also constitutes a grave security threat that undermines peace and security of the region and beyond.

 

On the day of the nuclear test, the Security Council immediately held the emergency consultations upon request by Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

 

The Security Council was united in issuing a press statement right after the meeting which strongly condemned this test and decided to begin working immediately on “further significant measures” in a new Security Council resolution.

 

After the very swift reaction by the Council, informal discussions have been conducted towards a new resolution.

 

We would like to commend efforts led by the US who is holding the pen.

 

Japan believes that adopting a new resolution with “further significant measures” needs to be the top and urgent priority of this Council.

 

Mr. President,

 

Sanctions under the UN Charter are not a punishment nor the final objective.

 

Rather, sanctions are one of the important tools the Council has at its disposal to bring a comprehensive solution to the issue in question.

 

We do agree that in order to bring a solution to the issue, there has to be dialogue.

 

But it should be reminded that we have been engaged in dialogue with the DPRK for more than 20 years on their nuclear programme and that past agreements and dialogues have not succeeded in bringing about a solution.

 

These agreements include “Agreed Framework” in 1994, the “Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and the DPRK” in 2002, and the “Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks” in 2005, just to mention a few.

 

But none of these attempts worked, since promises by the DPRK were not kept.

 

In order for a dialogue to work, there has to be pressure at the same time, and this is the very reason why we are arguing for a new robust resolution.

 

Mr. President,

 

In stark contrast to this grave challenge posed by the DPRK to the non-proliferation regime, the international community witnessed a positive development regarding Iranian nuclear issue: the advent of “implementation day” of the Security Council resolution 2231 on January 16th.

 

As a result, UN sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear programme were lifted.

 

This is a clear proof that sanctions do work.

 

Mr. President,

 

Before concluding my statement, I would like to commend you and the entire Uruguayan team for your incredible work.

 

It must have been a big challenge for Uruguay to assume the Presidency in its very first month on the Council.

 

Having been on the Council with you for one month, I learned a tremendous amount from your effective and professional conduct as President.

 

I wish Embajador Rafael Ramirez and Venezuela every success in February.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.