Transcript
AKIHIRO IWASHITA: It was only May 8th of this year when the Slavic Research Center and CNAPS had our very first groundbreaking joint forum here on the U.S.-Japan Alliance beyond Northeast Asia, where we invited experts from U.S. foreign policy communities on Northeast Asia -- not only on Northeast Asia -- Russia, China, Central Asia, Middle East, South Asia, and even Europe -- to not only discuss reshaping Japan’s interests in U.S. foreign policy, but also to reconfirm Japan’s commitment in those areas.
I have made it clear then, but I would say that once again here, a joint forum to bring together expertise from various areas -- various study areas to address common concerns that surround and affect us today, and to move toward direction for constructive and rational deliberation to advocate and promote more sound foreign policies are not only important for the United States and Japan, but also the international community as a whole. It is our responsibility to continue this joint venture. The world has witnessed a historical moment for nuclear weapons disarmament. This is the United States’ President Obama’s declaration in Prague. However, while continuous commitment for nuclear weapons disarmament is imperative, so is a vigorous discussion and cooperation on nuclear energy sources.
To quote President Obama, “We should build a new framework for civil nuclear cooperation, including an international fuel bank, so that countries can access peaceful power without increasing the risk of proliferation.” We are gathered here today to consider the possibility of a plausible framework to facilitate the peaceful use of nuclear power, I think. The significance and impact of this forum are obvious. To borrow the President’s words again, together we can do it.
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