April 2020

Prime Minister Abe Receives a Courtesy Call from Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency

On February 25th, 2020, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo received a courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Prime Minister Abe welcomed Director General Grossi’s first visit to Japan after assuming the office and stated that he would render assistance to the fullest extent to the endeavor of the IAEA led by him as well as he did during former Director General Amano Yukiya’s tenure. In response, Director General Grossi expressed his gratitude for the assistance from Japan to the initiatives of the IAEA and stated that the IAEA has been in a close relationship with Japan and he would like to continue this relationship into the future. Director General Grossi also stated that he respects former Director General Amano Yukiya and he visited Japan early to show such attitude.

Prime Minister Abe expressed his appreciation to the cooperation of the IAEA in decommissioning the TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station while mentioning Director General Grossi’s visit to the Nuclear Power Station scheduled for February 26th. In response, Director General Grossi stated that he respects Japan’s efforts to proceed with the reconstruction of Fukushima and decommission of the nuclear power station in a compatible manner, and he also stated that the IAEA would continue to cooperate with Japan.

With regard to the situation surrounding nuclear issues of North Korea and Iran, Prime Minister Abe stated that he has been placing emphasis on the roles of the IAEA and added that the Government of Japan would continue its close cooperation with the IAEA in this regard. In response, Director General Grossi gave an explanation on recent activities by the IAEA.