斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Defusing-the-bomb-or-just-chit_18页_680kb

Summary of EU-Japan Cooperation on the NPT (2001-2010)

I. Introduction

The European Union (EU) and Japan have gradually expanded their partnership beyond economic ties to include political and security dimensions, particularly in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. This paper focuses on the EU-Japan Cooperation Decade (2001-2010), examining the extent of their cooperation on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the factors that drive or hinder it. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of their collaboration and suggest ways to enhance it.

II. Core Content and Main Points

1. Historical Background

• Early Relations: Japan and the EU established bilateral relations in the late 1950s, but these were often disrupted by trade disputes.
• Political and Security Dialogue: The 1991 Hague Joint Declaration marked a turning point, establishing a framework for dialogue that included political and security issues.
• 2001 Action Plan: The 2001 EU-Japan Summit introduced a four-pillar cooperation framework, with "peace and security" as the first pillar, focusing on non-proliferation and arms control.
• 2004 Joint Declaration: This document emphasized the importance of the NPT and outlined specific cooperation areas such as IAEA safeguards and nuclear export control.

2. Non-Proliferation Policies

• EU's Approach: The EU promotes "effective multilateralism" and has sought to enhance its role in non-proliferation, especially after losing credibility in the Iraq conflict.
• Japan's Role: As the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, Japan is a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament. Its non-proliferation policy is based on three pillars: the "three non-nuclear principles," the 1955 Atomic Energy Basic Law, and compliance with the NPT.
• Contradictions: Japan's reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella and its large nuclear energy program have sometimes undermined its non-proliferation stance, as it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons but is not fully committed to their elimination.

3. Forms of Cooperation

• Bilateral Cooperation: The EU and Japan held annual summits and regular consultations, with a focus on non-proliferation and the IAEA.
• Regional and Multilateral Forums: They participated in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), G8, and the Conference on Disarmament (CD), often coordinating positions on nuclear issues.
• Customs Cooperation: The EU and Japan signed an agreement on customs mutual administrative assistance, aimed at improving supply chain security and preventing the illicit transfer of nuclear materials.

4. Key Challenges

• EU Internal Divisions: The presence of nuclear-armed states (France, UK) and members of the New Agenda Coalition (NAC) such as Sweden and Ireland created internal disagreements.
• Lack of Concrete Measures: Cooperation has mainly been declaratory or communicative, with limited operational impact on the NPT regime.
• Non-Engagement on Israel: The EU and Japan have avoided commenting on Israel's non-membership of the NPT and its nuclear arsenal, which hinders progress on a Middle East WMD-free zone.

III. Policy Recommendations

• Set Fewer, More Feasible Goals: The EU and Japan should focus on concrete actions rather than broad declarations.
• Strengthen Customs Cooperation: Joint customs operations and the harmonization of export control systems in ASEAN Plus Three countries could enhance effectiveness.
• Support the 2015 NPT Review Conference: They should present joint proposals and work more closely on strengthening the IAEA and implementing export control measures.
• Avoid Undermining Strategic Partners: Cooperation should not compromise their relationship with the U.S., which remains a key strategic partner.

IV. Evaluation of Cooperation

• Relevance and Concreteness: While the EU and Japan have shown a growing interest in non-proliferation, their efforts have not translated into significant impact on the NPT regime.
• Impact: The cooperation has mainly been symbolic or consultative, with limited influence on actual policy outcomes.
• Improvement Over Time: Compared to earlier decades, cooperation has become more structured and institutionalized, creating a platform for future action.

V. Conclusion

The EU and Japan have made progress in their cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation, particularly through formal agreements and multilateral engagement. However, their efforts remain largely declaratory and lack the operational depth necessary to significantly influence the NPT regime. To improve their effectiveness, they should focus on specific, actionable measures, especially in the realm of nuclear export control and customs cooperation, while maintaining alignment with their strategic partners.