The Japan-Iran Consultation on Disarmament and Non-proliferation was held in Tehran on July 12 (Saturday). (The Japanese representative was Director-General for Arms Control and Scientific Affairs Yukiya Amano; the Iranian representative was Director General for International Political Affairs of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amir Hossein Zamaniniya.)

1. The Nuclear Issues of Iran

(1) Regarding the Iranian nuclear issues, based on the results of the meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on June 19, the Japanese side repeatedly told the Iranian side that it was necessary for Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA, to clarify the outstanding issues identified in the report of the IAEA's Director-General, and to sign, ratify, and implement an Additional Protocol promptly.

(2) The Iranian side replied that Iran would make serious efforts to address the issues identified by the IAEA and would consider an Additional Protocol positively. The Iranian side also requested Japan to provide information concerning legislative and technical issues including verification work when Iran accepted the Additional Protocol.

(3) Explaining that Japan was making efforts toward the universalization of Additional Protocol, the Japanese side also replied that it was prepared to cooperate in sharing Japan's experience with Iran regarding such issues as what an Additional Protocol is and what kind of inspections could be expected after conclusion of the Additional Protocol.

2. A Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East

(1) The Iranian side indicated the importance of the achievement of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East concept and pointed out that the attitude of the international community differed with regard to Israel and Iran.

(2) In response, the Japanese side explained that Japan has also been working on Israel at a high level. Recently, for example, in April Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi urged Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

3. Nuclear Disarmament

The Japanese side explained that, as the only country to have been ever suffered a nuclear devastation, Japan was eagerly tackling the issue of nuclear disarmament and was making efforts to maintain and strengthen the international nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation regime based on the NPT. The Japanese side stated that Japan highly appreciated Iran's support for the draft resolution entitled, "A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons" that Japan submitted to the United Nations General Assembly last year and would look forward to further support to the resolution this year, too.

4. The Issue of Missile Non-proliferation

The Japanese side stated that the recent Shahab-3 launch test was extremely regrettable and strongly urged Iran's utmost self-restraint. The Iranian side replied that, unlike weapons of mass destruction, which are covered by the NPT, BWC (Biological Weapons Convention), and CWC (Chemical Weapons Convention), there has been no international agreement regulating ballistic missiles and that they are necessary for the national security of Iran. The consultations remained in stalemate on this point.

5. BWC, CWC

With reference to recent statements by an antigovernment group in Iran regarding Iran's biological and chemical weapons, the Japanese side called on Iran to improve transparency on this issue.

6. Biennial Meeting on Small Arms

Mentioning the fact that the U.N. First Biennial Meeting of States to consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms had closed on July 11, the Japanese side expressed gratitude to Iran for its cooperation in the process of coordination in the management of the meeting, which was chaired by Ambassador Kuniko Inoguchi (the Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament).

7. Anti-Personnel Landmine Ban Convention (Ottawa Treaty)

The Japanese side called on Iran to conclude the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Treaty), but the Iranian side replied that conclusion would be difficult.