Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Statement by the President of the United Nations Security Council Following the Statement by North Korea Regarding a Nuclear Test

"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)

Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Statement by the President of the United Nations Security Council Following the Statement by North Korea Regarding a Nuclear Test

[Place]

[Date] October 07, 2006

[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

[Notes]

[Full text]

1. Japan welcomes the Statement by the President of the Security Council* issued on Saturday, 7 October (evening of 6 October, New York time) which expresses deep concern over the statement of 3 October 2006 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Korea in which it stated that it would conduct a nuclear test in the future, and strongly urges North Korea to exercise self-restraint.

2. Japan is of the position that a nuclear test, if carried out by North Korea, would pose a grave threat to the peace and security of not only Japan but also Northeast Asia and the international community, and that it would be totally unacceptable. It is extremely deplorable that North Korea issued such a statement while international community called for an earnest response from North Korea for the resolution of its nuclear issue. Thus Japan immediately raised this issue in the Council, and acting as the President of the Council, worked closely with other countries and in an effort to express the collective will of the Council members.

3. Upon the issuance of the statement, Japan strongly urges North Korea to refrain from conducting a nuclear test. Should the North Korea carry out a nuclear test despite the common concern expressed by the international community, Japan would consider that the Council should swiftly adopt a resolution that contains tough measures.

(END)

* Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, served as the President of the Council.