[Title] Statement by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (on the Nuclear Test by North Korea)

1.Today at around 12:31 p.m., the Japan Meteorological Agency detected seismic waves which may differ from the ordinary waveform of a natural earthquake, with an epicenter located in the vicinity of North Korea. Based on a comprehensive consideration of this and other related information, the Government of Japan has decided that North Korea has conducted a nuclear test.

2.The countries concerned including Japan as well as the international community have repeatedly urged North Korea to fully comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council(UNSC) resolutions , condemned North Korea's repeated provocations, including nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, and urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs. In addition, given the fact that North Korea has belligerently conducted ballistic missile launches repeatedly this year, the UN Security Council has strongly condemned these actions. Under such circumstances, this nuclear test, which North Korea conducted today despite these calls, is totally unacceptable.

3.Taking into consideration that North Korea has enhanced its capabilities through its six nuclear tests, including the one today, as well as more than ten launches of ballistic missiles conducted this year, which could serve as a means to deliver weapons of mass destruction, including the two ICBM-class ballistic missile launches in July and the ballistic missile launch in August that flew over the Japanese territories, North Korea's nuclear and missile development has entered a new level of threat - more grave and imminent - against Japan's national security and seriously undermines the peace and security of the region as well as the international community. Today's nuclear test by North Korea is a clear and repeated violation of the relevant UNSC resolutions, and represents a grave challenge to the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime centered on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It also violates the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration as well as the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. Japan lodges its serious protest against North Korea, and condemns North Korea resolutely in the strongest terms.

4.Japan has begun coordination for holding a prompt meeting of the United Nations Security Council, taking into account the UNSC Resolution 2371 which clearly expressed the determination to take further significant measures against North Korea in the event of another nuclear test. Japan, once again, strongly urges North Korea to immediately and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions and to take concrete action towards comprehensively resolving issues of concern including the abductions, as well as nuclear and missile issues.

5.The Government of Japan, based on my instructions, will continue to thoroughly ensure the collection and analysis of information on the situation in North Korea including this matter, and provide the public with accurate information. Furthermore, the Government will also seamlessly maintain necessary posture, to prevent contingencies and to respond most appropriately when they occur, and work closely together with the United States and others and thereby take all possible measures to ensure peace and security of Japan as well as the security and safety of the people. In addition, with regard to the effect on Japan of radioactive materials associated with the nuclear test, the Government's Liaison Meetings for Radiological Countermeasures will take the lead in making utmost efforts to strengthen the monitoring system in coordination with the countries concerned.

Japan will steadily implement autonomous measures of its own including those decided in July and August and measures based on the relevant UNSC resolutions. Furthermore, the Government will further strengthen collaboration with the countries concerned, including the United States, the Republic of Korea, China and Russia, as well as the international community, ensure the effectiveness of the UNSC Resolution 2371 and the other relevant resolutions, and consider further measures against North Korea including further action in the United Nations Security Council.