Japan-led resolution approved by UN

November 5, 2013

U.N. committee passes Japan-led nuke elimination resolution

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NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- A Japan-led resolution calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons was approved Monday by the U.N. General Assembly's First Committee on disarmament with endorsements by 164 countries, marking the 20th year in a row that such a resolution has been passed.

The resolution, which is expected to be approved by the General Assembly at a meeting in early December, drew a record 102 co-sponsors.

North Korea was the only country to vote against it. The resolution condemned "in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted" by North Korea in February this year and called on Pyongyang to "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs."

Fourteen other countries including China, Russia, India, Pakistan and Israel abstained.

Among other nuclear powers, the United States co-sponsored and voted for it, while Britain and France backed it without joining as sponsors.

In Tokyo, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida welcomed the resolution's approval at the U.N. committee, saying that it would contribute to further building momentum toward a world free of nuclear weapons.

"Japan intends to lead the efforts of the international community toward the goal of a world without nuclear weapons through our continuing proactive efforts like this," Kishida told reporters.

The resolution calls for achieving "a world without nuclear weapons" and reaffirms "the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons."

This year's resolution expresses "deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons," in a similar fashion as a U.N. statement Japan joined for the first time and unveiled at the First Committee last month.

Last month's statement serves as an expression of will at the committee meeting by the participating countries.

In contrast, the resolution represents a formal decision of the committee of the General Assembly comprising 193 members.

Before the resolution was put to a vote at the committee, North Korea said it categorically rejected the resolution, adding that "Japan has no qualification and reputation" to table this draft because "plutonium is piled up," which can be used to create nuclear weapons.

Toshio Sano, the Geneva-based Japanese ambassador for disarmament who leads discussions at the First Committee, told reporters in New York that "our country's view to push forward nuclear disarmament through solid and joint efforts involving nuclear powers received overwhelming support."