Japan to turn over nuclear stockpile to U.S. for downgrading

"This effort involves the elimination of hundreds of kilograms of nuclear material, furthering our mutual goal of minimizing stocks of HEU and separated plutonium worldwide, which will help prevent unauthorized actors, criminals, or terrorists from acquiring such materials," the leaders said in a joint statement released by the White House.

"This material, once securely transported to the United States, will be sent to a secure facility and fully converted into less sensitive forms."

The plutonium, they said, would be prepared for "final disposition."

The announcement was made as world leaders convened in the Netherlands for a nuclear summit.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Hugh Lawson)