[Title] Closing Remarks by H.E. Mr. Fumio KISHIDA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan At the Eighth Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) Ministerial Meeting

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to host the 8th CTBT Ministerial Meeting today, together with our colleagues from the CTBT Friends, 20 years after the Treaty was first opened for signature. With the ratifications by Myanmar and Swaziland, the number of ratifying States will be 166. This shows that the CTBT is making a steady progress toward its universalization. We highly commend these efforts for building momentum towards the early entry into force of the Treaty.

Japan applauds the effective functioning of the International Monitoring System and the tireless efforts undertaken by the CTBTO under the strong leadership of Executive Secretary Dr. Lassina Zerbo.

Recently, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test. This test constitutes a grave threat to the peace and security of the international community and represents a serious challenge to the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Japan condemns North Korea in the strongest terms and urges it to immediately comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions and other commitments.

Furthermore, all Member States have an obligation to steadily implement a series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2270. Japan will coordinate closely with relevant countries towards the adoption of a new Security Council resolution that includes additional sanctions.

Universal condemnation by the international community demonstrates that prohibition of nuclear testing is a de facto international norm. In order to make this prohibition a legal obligation, early entry into force of the CTBT is imperative.

Japan calls upon the remaining non-ratifying States, Annex II countries in particular, to undertake further efforts toward ratification.

Japan believes that concrete and practical measures with cooperation of nuclear- and non-nuclear-weapon States are indispensable for the advancement of nuclear disarmament. The CTBT is one of the most effective measures in this regard.

As a Foreign Minister from Hiroshima, I am determined to continue to take steady and practical steps to promote nuclear disarmament. With this in mind, Japan, together with the United Nations, will host an international conference on nuclear disarmament in Nagasaki in December with a view to exploring ways and strengthening momentum for a world free of nuclear weapons.

In closing, I would like to reaffirm my confidence in the international community's continued efforts towards the early entry into force of the CTBT. Thank you.