EDITORIAL: IAEA gets Japanese boss

The mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to monitor nuclear programs and activities through inspections to determine if countries are secretly using nuclear technology for military purposes.

Starting in December, a Japanese diplomat will lead this international nuclear watchdog. Yukiya Amano, Japan's ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna, was elected last week as the IAEA's new director-general.

Japan, the only country to have experienced a nuclear attack, has called for the elimination of all nuclear arms.

As U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged to strive for a "world without nuclear weapons," the global situation surrounding nuclear arms now faces a turning point.

It is appropriate for Amano to head the IAEA at this important juncture. He is well regarded internationally for his expertise and experience in nuclear power generation and nuclear inspections.

Amano chaired the IAEA's board of governors four years ago and presided over the 2007 session of the preparatory committee for the scheduled 2010 conference to review the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). The IAEA chose Amano as its new chief in recognition of his long and outstanding track record of working for nuclear disarmament.

Amano's election also reflects international recognition of Japan's nonnuclear policy.

Japan has allowed more IAEA inspections than any other country.

After North Korea's nuclear test, Tokyo continued to stress the importance of the abolition of nuclear weapons, making diplomatic efforts in line with its nonnuclear policy. By doing so, Japan is sending a reassuring message to the world and earning international respect.

Amano has great diplomatic talent.

However, what should not be forgotten is that being the IAEA chief is a tough job that sometimes demands political decisions and actions. The post can force its holder to butt heads with nuclear powers like the United States.

But the biggest headaches for the IAEA are the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran.

North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors in April and has yet to allow them back in. Iran is continuing with its uranium enrichment program in defiance of the IAEA and the U.N. Security Council.

The IAEA's inspection ability will be tested afresh if diplomatic negotiations over the two nations' nuclear ambitions make progress. The new chief may find it necessary to hold direct talks with both countries at some point.

In his April speech on nuclear weapons in Prague, Obama proposed creating an international system for the safe management of nuclear materials that could be obtained and used by terrorist groups and other dangerous organizations.

Clearly, the IAEA faces the challenge of determining how to use its resources to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to terrorists as well as among countries.

Some developing countries are concerned about Amano's IAEA leadership as they feel that Japan is too close to the United States.

They probably fear that the United States will make new demands on developing countries regarding nonproliferation.

Amano needs to cooperate with Obama on nuclear disarmament while paying attention to such concerns among developing nations.

We hope he will use his diplomatic prowess and large network of contacts in the United States to build a good working relationship with the U.S. administration.

Amano will be the head of an international organization and won't represent Japan. Still, the government should provide as much support as possible to the new IAEA chief by playing active roles in enhancing the nuclear watchdog agency and promoting nuclear nonproliferation.

Amano's election is welcome news which should be used to promote Japan's effort to boost its diplomatic clout.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 4(IHT/Asahi: July 6,2009)