A United Nations committee has approved a draft resolution aimed at bringing about a world free of nuclear weapons. Japan submits the document every year.

One hundred and thirty-nine nations voted for the draft at the UN General Assembly's First Committee on Monday. That number is down 13 from last year. Russia, China and four others voted against it.

Japan is the only country that has experienced atomic bombings. This is now the 29th year in a row that the First Committee has approved the document.

Deep unease over the worsening global security environment is expressed in this year's draft. That concern is largely due to the situation in Ukraine.

Countries that possess nuclear arms are urged in the draft to forgo using them. They are also advised to refrain from employing inflammatory rhetoric concerning the use of such weapons.

It is noted in the draft that leaders and young people are welcome to visit the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is mentioned in the draft for the first time. The treaty took effect last year. Japan is not a party to it.

Japanese officials say more than 70 percent of the state parties to the treaty -- or 46 countries -- voted for the Japan-sponsored draft.

The draft resolution is expected to be adopted at the UN General Assembly in December.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu welcomed the First Committee's vote.

Matsuno said it is significant that the draft won support from countries that have various positions on the subject of nuclear disarmament.

Matsuno said Japan will make a realistic and practical effort to try to bring about a world without nuclear weapons. Next year's G7 Summit is due to be held in Hiroshima.