Statement from Komeito Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

◎ Komeito’s efforts towards nuclear abolition and attitude towards TPNW

● We, the Komeito Party, will celebrate our 60th anniversary next year, and we have consistently called for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

● We insist that the record of non-use of nuclear weapons must be maintained forever. To that end, we have been calling for the reality of nuclear weapons use to be shared worldwide.

● It was of great significance that this year's G7 summit was held in Hiroshima.

● Komeito as a part of Japanese Government ruling coalition party, views the TPNW as important attempt to establish international norms for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

● We are working to create an environment in which Japan can conclude and ratify the treaty. We also call on the Japanese government to participate as an observer during the TPNW meetings.

◎ Japanese government's situation regarding TPNW

● Prime Minister Kishida evaluates the TPNW as an important treaty that can be said to be the final passage to a “world without nuclear weapons.''

● On the other hand, the cooperation of nuclear-weapon states is necessary to change reality, and since not a single nuclear-weapon state has joined the treaty, there has been no change so far in the policy of not ratifying it or not participating as an observer.

● However, all major ruling and opposition parties in Japan, with the exception of the largest ruling party, have made it clear that Japan should participate as an observer. I want to convey that the circle of understanding is expanding.

◎ Areas where Japan can contribute to the TPNW

Ladies and gentlemen,

● As we appealed at the 1MSP last year, Japan, through experiencing the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the severe nuclear reactor disaster in Fukushima, has accumulated important technological expertise.

● At the recent UN General Assembly, Japan supported a resolution on victim assistance and environmental remediation led by Kazakhstan and Kiribati.

● It is practically and legally important that Article 6 of the TPNW stipulates victim assistance and environmental remediation, and Article 7 stipulates international cooperation and assistance.

● We welcome the progress in discussions regarding the establishment of an international trust fund to promote this goal.

● Regarding the operational framework of this fund, I think it would be desirable to allow a wide range of participation from countries and the private sector that are not the States Parties such as Japan which has accumulated technological expertise and are willing to contribute.

● We look forward to the leadership of Kazakhstan, the 3MSP chair country, in establishing the sustainable and effective fund. I would like to propose that preparatory meetings for the establishment of the fund to be held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

◎ International Conference of Eminent Persons,

● Next week, the International Conference of Eminent Persons for a “World Free of Nuclear Weapons” will be held in Nagasaki.

● This is a forum for participants from nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states to have free and lively discussions on concrete paths toward realizing a “world free of nuclear weapons.''

● Komeito Party is calling for the start of discussions on a new security policy to replace nuclear deterrence and a pledge to "no first use of nuclear weapons."

● We also recognize that there is complementarity between the TPNW and the NPT.