Introductory Statement by Kazufumi Aoki,
Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
At the 4th Committee Session on the Effects of Radiation
28 Oct 2016

 

 

Mr Chairman,
As Dr Yoshiharu Yonekura of Japan is the Chair of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), Japan has the honour, on behalf of the co-sponsors, to introduce this year’s resolution on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.

 

As a country long committed to the safety of nuclear activities, particularly in light of the Fukushima nuclear accident of 2011, we are honoured to present this resolution in support of UNSCEAR.

 

The resolution presented today is an affirmation of our support for the intentions and plans of the Scientific Committee for conducting its programme of work of scientific review and assessment into the future, to serve the scientific community as well as wider audiences.

 

Mr. Chairman,
UNSCEAR marks its 60th anniversary this year. We, through the resolution, commend the work that the Scientific Committee continues to carry out in widening knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of exposure to ionizing radiation with highest scientific authority and independence of judgement.

 

In this regard the resolution welcomes the Committee’s four substantive scientific evaluations completed during its sixty-third session and notes with appreciation the Committee’s substantive reports on the methodology for estimating public exposures due to radioactive charges, on radiation exposures from electricity generation, and on biological effects of selected internal emitters.

 

The resolution also continues to welcome the readiness of Member States to provide the Scientific Committee with relevant information on the subject, which will assist the Committee in fulfilling its mandate.

 

Mr Chairman,
In light of the importance of disseminating the findings of UNSCEAR, in particular to the wider public, we commend and appreciate the publication of the report on the levels and effects of radiation exposure after the 2011 great east-Japan earthquake and tsunami and its annex.

 

In this regard, public dialogues on the report were held in Fukushima prefecture in February 2016. A team of experts from UNSCEAR presented the findings of the report to in Iwaki city and Minami-Souma city, helping alleviate people’s worries and informing them on this important issue.

 

Japan appreciates the engagement of UNSCEAR and is committed to supporting its works.

 

Mr Chairman,
In closing, Japan would like to once again underscore the importance of the UNSCEAR’s invaluable contribution in raising the understanding of the effects of ionizing radiation, and commend to you this year’s draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation.

 

END