Kishida calls for early entry into force of nuclear test ban pact

New York, Sept. 21 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday that countries around the world should redouble their efforts to quickly implement the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

He made the comments in New York at the first summit of countries aiming for the rapid entry into force of the CTBT.

Summit participants issued a joint statement calling on all countries to declare or maintain a moratorium on nuclear testing.

The declaration required ratification of the treaty by the United States and other countries that are required to ratify it for it to enter into force.

He specifically criticized North Korea for its plan to conduct a seventh nuclear test, saying any further nuclear tests would be irresponsible and unacceptable.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]