Explanation of vote
L.39 (Follow up to ICJ Advisory Opinion)
Thank you Mr. Chairman,
I would like to explain Japan's position on the vote on the draft
resolution contained in document A/C.1/59/L.39, entitled, "Follow-up
to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on
the Legality of the Threat or Use of nuclear Weapons."
Mr. Chairman
First of all, we highly appreciate Malaysia's sincere attitude
and firm commitment to the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament,
which led to the proposing of draft resolution L.39.
Japan also believes that, because of their immense power to cause
destruction and death and injury to human beings, the use of nuclear
weapons is clearly contrary to the fundamental humanitarianism which
informs international law and provides its philosophical foundation.
Therefore, we would like to stress that nuclear weapons should never
be used again, and continuous efforts should be made towards achieving
a world free of nuclear weapons.
However, the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice,
which this draft resolution addressed, clearly demonstrates the
complexity of the subject.
Japan supports the unanimous opinion of the judges of the ICJ on
the existing obligations under international law to pursue nuclear
disarmament and to conclude negotiations on the matter in good faith.
Japan firmly believes that we must take concrete measures to achieve
steady, step-by-step progress in nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament.
In this context, we believe it is premature to 'call upon all the
states immediately to fulfill that obligation by commencing multilateral
negotiations leading to an early conclusion of a nuclear weapons
convention prohibiting the development, production, testing, deployment,
stockpiling, transfer, threat or use of nuclear weapons.'
We believe that such steady, incremental progress should be made
prior to our embarking upon the negotiations which resolution L.19
calls upon all states to commence. This is the reason for Japan's
abstention on this draft resolution.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, Japan continues to encourage all efforts
to advance nuclear disarmament.
