Japan eyes civil nuke deals with states resisting inspection protocol

TOKYO, Dec. 25 Kyodo -
Japan is seeking to promote civil nuclear cooperation with nations such as
Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which have not ratified a protocol to allow snap
inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, as Tokyo aims to increase
infrastructure exports including nuclear power generation technology under its
economic growth strategy, government sources said Saturday.
Japan has been advocating ratification of the Additional Protocol for
safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, but the move could
signify a shift to placing more importance on exports of nuclear power plants
than nuclear nonproliferation, analysts said.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed a positive stance on
promoting civil nuclear cooperation with Egypt at a meeting on Japanese
infrastructure exports attended by some Cabinet ministers in October, the
sources said.
But Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara expressed caution regarding the promotion of
Japanese exports of nuclear plants to Egypt at the meeting, saying Egypt has
yet to ratify the protocol, they said.
Egypt has refused to ratify the Additional Protocol.
Japan has been seeking to expand exports of nuclear power generation technology
to other countries after securing a basic accord in October to build two
nuclear reactors in Vietnam, according to the sources.
Tokyo has already started unofficial talks with Brazil on nuclear cooperation
and is eyeing negotiations with Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey, which
have either ratified or will ratify the Additional Protocol, they said.
Brazil has not ratified the Additional Protocol, but it has concluded a
bilateral pact with neighboring Argentina on inspections, ensuring a certain
degree of transparency in its nuclear program, the sources said.
==Kyodo