11-1 Evaluation of Japan’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts in Terms of Providing Guidance to Other States

－Key Elements to Win the Confidence in the Peaceful Nature of the Nuclear Energy Use and Recommendations for the Future－

Table 11-1　Key elements for Japan’s nuclear non-proliferation efforts and recommendations for the future

We have identified key elements in seven areas and make recommendations for the future.

Table 11-1　Key elements for Japan’s nuclear non-proliferation efforts and recommendations for the future

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Japan has been implementing a nuclear energy program since the 1950s in a transparent manner, explicitly limiting the use of nuclear energy to peaceful purposes, and it has contributed to international efforts to ensure nuclear non-proliferation. This research is aimed at identifying the elements applicable to other states through a review, an analysis, and an evaluation of Japan’s past efforts to ensure nuclear non-proliferation.

In this research, we have reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated Japan’s nuclear non-proliferation efforts by dividing them into seven areas, and we have identified the key elements and issues for consideration in the future (Table 11-1). The analysis clearly shows that Japan’s nuclear non-proliferation efforts have so far satisfied international standards in the respective areas and have even exceeded them in some areas. We have identified issues to be considered in the future. These include proactive contribution to strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and to relevant international organizations, optimization of overall safeguards efforts under the integrated safeguards, and the ratification of the amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

Japan has a unique status as a non-nuclear-weapon state that pursues nuclear fuel cycle activities such as enrichment and reprocessing. Some features of our nuclear non-proliferation efforts may originate from the unique status. Therefore, we have classified our efforts into three categories: A. Necessary items regardless of the existence of nuclear activities, B. items that accompany nuclear activities, and C. items that accompany nuclear fuel cycle activities.

Our experience with regard to categories A. and B. can serve as guidance for states that plan to introduce nuclear power generation; it can clarify what kind of efforts should be made for nuclear non-proliferation. Japan’s role is to help such emerging nuclear states in their effort to ensure nuclear non-proliferation, by focusing on these items.

Reference
Yamamura, T. et al., Review and Analysis of Japan’s Efforts to Ensure Nuclear Non-Proliferation－Significant Elements in Terms of Winning Trust for the Peaceful Nature of the Nuclear Energy Use and Future Challenges－, JAEA-Review 2010-040, 180p. (in Japanese).

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