April 29, 1997

1. Japan welcomes the entry into force today of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. This is an epoch-making convention on disarmament, which aims for the complete elimination of chemical weapons, stipulating the prohibition of production, use, etc. of chemical weapons and their destruction, and also containing verification measures to secure the implementation of obligations under the Convention. The entry into force of the Convention will make an important pillar for supporting the peace and security of the international community.

2. Japan has been positively taking part in the work of the Preparatory Commission for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Japan, being an original State Party of the Convention, will continue its positive contribution so that the Convention will be implemented effectively and smoothly.

3. One of the issues which Japan has to address under the Convention is the disposal of abandoned chemical weapons in China. Concerning this issue, the Government of Japan will sincerely fulfill its obligations under the Convention, in accordance with the spirit of the Joint Communiqué of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China, and the Convention that has just come into effect.

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