WORLD> Asia-Pacific
Japan urges major powers to cut nuclear stockpiles
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-27 23:47

TOKYO -- Japan urged nuclear powers Monday to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons as a step toward a nuclear-free world.  

In a speech entitled "Conditions towards Zero -- 11 Benchmarks for Global Nuclear Disarmament," Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone put forward a 11-point initiative for promoting global nuclear disarmament.

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"In order to realize a world free of nuclear weapons, it is necessary that while nuclear weapons-holding states engage in nuclear disarmament, the entire international community adopts and complies with universal norms for disarmament and nonproliferation, " Nakasone said.

Nakasone's speech came in supportive response to the remarks made on April 5 by US President Barack Obama, who advocated a world without nuclear weapons and declared Washington's "moral responsibility to act" to that end.

The foreign minister called for bans on nuclear tests and the production of fissile material for weapon purposes as well as restrictions on ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

Nakasone said that his speech represents Japan's strong resolve to play the leading role in promoting global nuclear disarmament.

He said that it is Japan's long-cherished hope to realize a nuclear-free world and Japan is willing to help build the growing momentum for global sustainable nuclear disarmament.