[Title] The Fifth CTBT Ministerial Meeting Statement by Mr. Seiji Maehara Minister for foreign Affairs of Japan

Chair Mr. Kevin Rudd,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, allow me to extend my deepest appreciation to all the delegations here, who worked hard to prepare for this meeting. I am confident that, with your support, this Ministerial meeting will be able to issue a strong message for the early entry into force of the CTBT.

(Japan's nuclear disarmament efforts)

Nuclear weapons pose serious threat to humanity. The real challenge to nuclear disarmament rests with the question of whether human beings can assume responsibilities on issues beyond national borders or on issues of future generations. We must tackle nuclear disarmament with a sense of urgency.

A trend towards "a world without nuclear weapons" has been steadily gaining momentum. However, the road towards this goal is long and complex. Strong political will is indispensible for maintaining this momentum. In this regard, nuclear weapons states, particularly the United States and its allies, have special roles to play.

Yesterday, together with Foreign Ministers of like-minded countries, Minister Rudd and I launched a new group of states to seek "a world with decreased nuclear risks" as a transitional strategic stage on a path towards "a world without nuclear weapons". Through this exercise, I am determined to propose concrete and practical measures that would promote world-wide undertakings to achieve our ultimate goal.

(Relevance of the CTBT)

Among such measures early entry into force of the CTBT is one of the most immediate high priorities. The CTBT is not only an indispensible building block to support the NPT regime, but also an important measure to guide those non-NPT signatories including India into the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

(Concrete steps toward CTBT's entry into force)

Over the last year, Japan has actively been engaged with the non ratifiers of the Treaty. For example, Japan stressed the importance of the early entry into force of the CTBT and urged their actions at leader or foreign minister level talks with China, India and Pakistan.

Early this year, Japan also invited the representatives of Egypt and Indonesia to visit the facilities of the International Monitoring System (IMS) in Japan to facilitate their understanding of the Treaty and ratification process. In this regard, I welcome the announcement by the Indonesian Foreign Minister at this year's NPT Review Conference, Dr Marty Natalegawa, that Indonesia would initiate the process of ratification. I would like to appeal to political leaders of those remaining Annex II countries for their leadership to act decisively for early signatures and ratification of the Treaty. Furthermore, I would like to urge those states with nuclear weapons to continuously observe a moratorium on nuclear testing pending its entry into force.

(Closing)

Against the background of the current growing momentum towards "a world without nuclear weapons", it is high time for us to work together to make the Treaty effective. Its early entry into force will be the most important and practical first step towards "a world without nuclear weapons". Non ratifiers should recognize their heavy responsibilities in realizing it. And I hereby reiterate that Japan, on its part, will spare no efforts to contribute to this endeavor.

Thank you.