TASK SETTING  

TASK 1 (Proposal for a standard format)

              This obligation is given to all States parties. It is particularly important for the nuclear weapon States as well as the nuclear dependent States, including Japan. The thirteen steps discussed in this Report Card are related to the implementation of article VI and paragraph 4 (c) of the 1995 Decision on “Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament,” which is the same statement attached to this item. Therefore, the obligatory regular reports stated in it should address each of the thirteen steps. In order to ensure this, and to make sure that the reports contain necessary data such as types and numbers of nuclear weapons and nuclear materials, it would be desirable to formulate a standardized form for regular reports.

TASK 2 (Reports at each of NPT PrepComs)

              Furthermore, although there is no written agreement on the frequency of reports, it is desirable that at least the nuclear-weapon States and the nuclear-dependent States submit reports and explain them at each NPT conference including the PrepComs starting with the 2002 PrepCom, in order to ensure that the PrepComs are substantial as they were originally intended to be.

TASKS 3, 4 (Japan’s own regular reports)

              Japan, as the country devastated by nuclear weapons, has a particular responsibility to faithfully fulfill this obligation. In addition, it may have its own action plan for ending its dependence on nuclear weapons in its security policy. It is also urged to have dialogues, through such regular reports, with the public that is calling strongly for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Consequently, Japan needs its own form for reports in addition to that based on international standards.

              The format and system proper to Japan could be formulated through discussions in an expert panel that includes NGOs. This Report Card could be a reference for such an attempt. The contents of these reports should, as a matter of course, be submitted regularly for debate in the Diet.

EVALUATION

              Though TASKS 1, 2, 3 and 4 can all be regarded as concrete and effective proposals to utilize the NPT conferences as opportunities to provide a rhythm to the nuclear disarmament process, the Japanese government has made no concrete efforts on this thus far. We hope that it will make future efforts.

              As a whole, we give a D grade to the efforts made during the relevant period.