Towards Effective and Efficient IAEA Safeguards: Review of Collaborations between Japan and the Agency

Japan, firmly committed to nuclear non-proliferation, ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1976, and placed herself under obligation, as a non-nuclear weapons state, not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons. Recognizing the important role of the NPT and associated IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards in achieving non-proliferation, Japan has been upholding the NPT regime and exerting her efforts in realizing efficient and effective IAEA safeguards. This paper outlines the non-proliferation policy of Japan and reviews the historical development, the current situation and the future direction of collaborations between Japan and the Agency towards the establishment of effective and efficient IAEA safeguards system.