U.S.-Japan Joint Statement on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Office of the Spokesperson

The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Japan on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

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1. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forever ingrained in the world’s memory, serve as stark reminders that the 76-year record of non-use of nuclear weapons must be maintained. Japan and the United States wholly reaffirm their commitment to the NPT, which has been the cornerstone of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament for 51 years since coming into force. It has enabled dramatic reductions in nuclear stockpiles and will serve as an essential basis for future nuclear disarmament.  It has facilitated cooperation to share the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, science, and technology (“peaceful uses”).  All the world has benefited from it.
2. Recalling our 2015 joint statement, Japan and the United States recognize the NPT as indispensable for preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and achieving their total elimination. Toward this end, the two countries call upon all States Parties to contribute to delivering a meaningful outcome that strengthens each of the three pillars at the 10th Review Conference. In doing so, we invite States Parties to review the Chair’s Report of the Group of Eminent Persons for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament, which Japan established in 2017, and build on its emphasis of “civility in discourse.”
3. Japan and the United States reaffirm the obligations of all States Parties under the NPT, including Article VI. We recognize the importance of implementing commitments contained in the final documents from the 1995, 2000, and 2010 Review Conferences. Japan and the United States are realistic about the danger the world faces today.  In a tense international security environment and recognizing the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons, it is more urgent than ever to support non-proliferation and arms control processes that are persistent, practical, proactive, and progressive.  In addition to bilateral negotiations, necessary measures include immediately commencing negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.  In the meantime, all relevant states should declare and/or maintain moratoria on nuclear explosive testing and production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.  All nuclear-weapon States have the responsibility to engage actively and in good faith in arms control dialogues and in addition are encouraged to enhance transparency by providing regular reports on doctrines, arsenals, and nuclear disarmament-related undertakings.  The 40-year long decline in global nuclear arsenals must be sustained and not reversed.
4.  Japan welcomes the first declaration by the leaders of all five nuclear-weapons States that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, and the recognition that “nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences.” Recalling the visit by former President Obama to Hiroshima, Japan and the United States call on political leaders, youth, and others to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki to raise and sustain awareness.
5. The United States welcomed and was pleased to co-sponsor Japan’s resolution “Joint Courses of Action and Future-oriented Dialogue towards a world without nuclear weapons,” adopted by the UN General Assembly. The United States deeply appreciates Japan’s long leadership in building the global non-proliferation regime and welcomes its current role in the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), the Stockholm Initiative (SI), the Group of Eminent Persons for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament, and the 1.5 track meeting for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament.
6. Japan commends the United States’ leadership for the Creating an Environment for Nuclear Disarmament (CEND) initiative and the International Partnership on Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV). Japan also commends the United States’ leadership among nuclear-weapon States for transparency about its nuclear weapons stockpile. Japan welcomes the extension of the New START Treaty and looks forward to development of the Strategic Stability Dialogue between the United States and Russia.  Japan and the United States stress the need for future arms control measures that involve other countries and a wider range of weapon systems.  In this regard, noting the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) ongoing increase in its nuclear capabilities, Japan and the United States request the PRC to contribute to arrangements that reduce nuclear risks, increase transparency, and advance nuclear disarmament.
7. As an essential foundation for the pursuit of a world without nuclear weapons, Japan and the United States are committed to strengthening the international regime for nuclear non-proliferation, including through the universalization of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Comprehensive Safeguard Agreements and Additional Protocols as the de facto safeguards standard under the NPT. We strongly support the authority of the IAEA, as well as its objectivity, professionalism, and independence. Japan and the United States concur on the importance of maintaining and strengthening international export control regimes.  Any export of nuclear technology must meet the highest non-proliferation standards by both the sending and receiving parties.
8. We are strongly committed to the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges, as well as related programs and facilities, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). We urge North Korea to abide by all relevant UNSCRs and return at an early date to and fully comply with the NPT and IAEA safeguards. We call on the entire international community to fully implement these relevant UNSCRs.  We support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the ongoing talks in Vienna, which aim for a mutual return to compliance with the commitments under the JCPOA.  We urge Iran to cease nuclear escalations.  We also urge Iran to fully and immediately cooperate with the IAEA, including by clarifying and resolving the Agency’s questions about potential undeclared nuclear material and activities.
9. The 51-year history of the NPT has contributed to the advancement of humanity through peaceful uses. Nuclear technology offers solutions for addressing climate change and the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals. Nuclear science contributes to the improvement of medical care, including cancer treatment and infectious disease countermeasures, as well as that of food and water security, and the purification of ocean waters.  Japan and the United States reiterate our unequivocal support for access to peaceful nuclear applications by states in full compliance with their non-proliferation obligations.  We reconfirm our support to the IAEA in promoting the benefits of the peaceful uses, including our financial support to the Technical Cooperation Fund, our continuing voluntary contributions to the Peaceful Uses Initiative, and our provision of expertise and resources to other IAEA peaceful uses activities.