Statement on “Efforts and Challenges Regarding the Start of Negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)” [in Japanese]
On February 21, 2024, Professor Nobumasa Akiyama of the Graduate School of Law attended a hearing of the House of Councilors Committee titled “21st Century Warfare and Peacebuilding – Building a New International Order,” specifically addressing the topic of “Efforts and Challenges Regarding the Start of Negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).” Professor Akiyama discussed the international political environment resulting from the regulation of fissile material production for nuclear weapons and what Japan should do in response. He first discussed how and where the acquisition of fissile material for nuclear weapons should be regulated and the significance of such regulation. Furthermore, he explained the issues in the FMCT negotiations regarding the scope of regulation, the definition of terms, and the nature of verification.
