A treaty that calls for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons entered into force on Friday in the 50 nations and regions that had signed the treaty by last October. The United States, China, Russia and other nuclear powers, as well as countries that rely on the U.S.'s nuclear umbrella – including Japan – have not joined the treaty, compromising its effectiveness.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted by the United Nations in July 2017 with the support of 122 countries and regions. Initially promoted by countries such as Austria and New Zealand that were frustrated with how nuclear disarmament had stagnated, the treaty prohibits developing, testing, producing, possessing and using nuclear weapons, or even threatening to use them, on the grounds that nuclear weapons have "catastrophic humanitarian consequences."
The number of countries and regions that ratified the treaty reached 50 last October, and the treaty was set to enter into force on Jan. 22 in accordance with its provisions. Benin became the 51st country or region to ratify the treaty last December and the treaty will go into effect in the west African nation in March.
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 partly for its contribution to the adoption of the treaty.
-- Japan stays out
During Thursday's plenary session of the House of Councillors, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declined to join the treaty, saying, "In light of the government's position, we have no intention to sign."
This is because the government sees it as necessary to rely on the U.S.'s nuclear deterrence in the face of North Korea continuing its nuclear and missile development programs and China's military buildup. It is also taking a cautious stance on the request by parties including Komeito to participate in meetings of treaty members as an observer.
At the plenary session, the prime minister said about nuclear disarmament, "We will strive to build bridges between nations with different positions and proactively contribute to international discussions," indicating his intention to work toward the success of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) scheduled for August at U.N. headquarters with the participation of nuclear powers.
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