Japan Explanation of L4 Vote

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Explanation of vote

Draft resolution L4

Missiles

Japanese delegation

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I have asked for the floor in order to explain the position of my government on the draft resolution titled, "Missiles" contained in the document A/C.1/58/L.4.

Mr. Chairman,

The proliferation of missiles as delivery vehicles for weapons of mass destruction is a matter of grave concern of Japan, as we believe that it poses a threat to peace and stability in both the global and regional contexts. FOr that reason, Japan has been making its own effort to ensure the non-proliferation of, and to reduce the threat posed by, these missiles. We also contributed to the discussions of the UN Panel of Governmental Experts on Missiles established by the Secretary-Genearl of the United Nations.

Japan, however, has not supported draft resolution L.4 but decided to abstain, because it contains no explicit reference to the conern about the proliferation of missiles as delivery vehicles for weapons of mass destruction or to acknowledgement of ongoing non-proliferation efforts such as the establishment last November of the HCOC, in which my country participates.

Regardless of our vote, we remain committed to the goal of ensuring non-proliferation of such missiles while promoting international and regional peace and stability through a variety of means.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.