1. Japan deems it a matter of deep regret that, on January 10th, Iran removed seals installed at the uranium enrichment-related facilities in Natanz to resume "research and development" activities with regard to "the peaceful nuclear energy programme," disregarding the concerns of the international community.

2. The resumption of uranium enrichment-related research and development activities runs counter to the requirements in the agreement reached between the EU-3 (France, Germany and the U.K.) and Iran in November, 2004 (Paris Agreement) as well as the relevant IAEA Board of Governors Meeting resolutions. It also undermines the basis of negotiations between the EU-3 and Iran for a peaceful and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

3. Japan strongly calls on Iran to immediately cease the resumption of the research and development activities and to implement sincerely all the requirements of the relevant IAEA Board of Governors Meeting resolutions including the suspension of all the uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities without exception.