[Title] Statement by Fumio Kishida， Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the United Nations General Assembly Meeting to Commemorate the International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

His Excellency, Mr. MogensLykketoft, President of the United Nations General Assembly,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to express my profound appreciation to President Lykketoft and those who have worked hard to make this meeting possible.

Mr. President,

70years ago, an atomic bombwas dropped in Hiroshima, my hometown, and Nagasakiand took more than twohundred thousand precious livesin a blink of an eye.In this milestone year of 70th

year since the dropping of atomic bombs, Japan has renewed its commitment towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

Mr. President,

Today, the NPT regime faces serious challenges. However,the role of the NPT to secure the world's peace and stability has become increasingly important. The international community must take these challenges as an opportunity to further advance nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We must devote all our efforts.

It was extremely regrettable that we were not able to adopt the final document in the 2015 NPT Review Conference.

But, what we must focus now is to make further efforts to strengthen the NPT regime so that the next NPT Review Conference in 2020 will be a success. Japan is determined to continue to make utmost efforts in this regard.

Mr. President,

In order to advance nuclear disarmament, it is of the utmost importance that nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states cooperate and steadily build up tangible and practical measures. It is from this perspective that I addressed following 5points at this year's NPT Review Conference.

1. Transparency of nuclear forces,

2. Deeper reduction of all types of nuclear weapons and eventual multilateralization of nuclear weapons reduction negotiations,

3. Spreading awareness and deepening our understanding of humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons across borders and generations,

4. Visit to Hiroshima and Nagasaki by political leaders and youth, and

5. Resolving regional nuclear proliferation issues.

In order to implement these 5 points, Japan will make full use of the following opportunities.

First, Japan will submit a new draft resolution on the total elimination of nuclear weapons, which reflects Japan's policy,to the UN General Assembly this autumn. We would like to have support from many States.Japan will continue to work actively with our partners in the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative(NPDI).

Second, Japan together with Kazakhstan, as the joint coordinating states for facilitating the entry into force of the CTBT,will lead efforts towards its early entry into force.

Third, we will call on many people, including world's political leaders, to visit the sights of atomic bombings on various opportunities, including on the occasion of G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in Hiroshima next April.

Fourth, Japan strongly condemns North Korea's continued development of its nuclear and missile programs as these pose serious threat to the peace and security of the entire international community. Japan urges North Korea to refrain from taking any further provocative actions and to fully comply with the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

Mr. President,

This year, after all the average age of atomic bomb survivors, ,Hibakushas, has become over 80. Hibakus has have strong feelings not to let the memories of their experiences fade away and to achieve the total elimination of nuclear weapons. I pledge with renewed determination to pass on strong feelings by Hibakushas across borders and generations and realize a world free of nuclear weapons.

Thank you very much for your attention.