"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] Comments by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on Measures in Response to Nuclear Testing Conducted by Pakistan

[Place]
[Date] May 29, 1998
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

1. It is extremely deplorable that Pakistan conducted nuclear testing on 28 May, despite the sincere effort by the international society including Japan to urge Pakistan to exercise restraint. On the same day, Mr. Keizo Obuchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, summoned Miss D. S. Kureshi, Charge d' Affaires ad interim of Pakistan to Japan, strongly protested the testing, and urged Pakistan to immediately cease nuclear testing and development of nuclear weapons.

2. This nuclear testing by Pakistan was conducted in defiance of the effort by the international society to seek a world free from nuclear weapons, and therefore can never be tolerated. Japan urges Pakistan to immediately cease nuclear testing and development of nuclear weapons, reiterating its demand that India and Pakistan not commence a dangerous nuclear arms race and conclude NPT and CTBT unconditionally. Furthermore, in multilateral fora such as the United Nations Security Council, Japan will actively deal with the issues of firmly maintaining non-proliferation regime and sustaining peace in South Asia.

3. Therefore, the Government has decided to take the following measures in view of the principle of the ODA Charter;

(1) Grant aid for new projects will be frozen, except emergency and humanitarian aid and Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects.

(2) Yen-loan to Pakistan for new projects will be frozen.

(3) The Government will cautiously examine the loan programs to Pakistan by international financial institutions.

4. Japan is also determined to maintain its strict control on transfers of items and technologies related to weapons of mass-destruction to Pakistan.

(END)