Statement strongly condemning North Korea’s nuclear test

On September 9, DP President Katsuya Okada issued the following statement.

Today, North Korea carried out its fifth nuclear test.

This year alone, North Korea has launched 21 ballistic missiles on 13 separate occasions, starting with the test carried out in January, and has repeatedly engaged in provocative and exceedingly reckless behaviour.  The fact that North Korea has on this occasion carried out yet another nuclear test poses a grave threat to the peace of Japan and East Asia, as well as to the security of the international community as a whole.  Such behaviour is totally unacceptable and we strongly condemn it. 

On this occasion, an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning North Korea, and a statement was also issued by the Chairman of ASEAN.  Amidst strong calls for restraint from the international community, North Korea must realise that its own actions are only inviting further isolation.

As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Japanese government should cooperate with the international community, take a leadership role in ensuring that North Korea’s provocative behaviour is not be repeated, and work in the UNSC toward the imposition of new sanctions.

The government of Japan should also make additional efforts in the gathering and analyzing of information and in policing and monitoring activities, as well as taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.