Greenpeace says Australia needs to examine its stance as a leading uranium exporter if it is to mount an international push to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has used his trip to Japan to announce the creation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Commission, to be co-chaired by Japan and Australia.

Mr Rudd says the new body will coordinate international talks ahead of a review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2010.

The announcement came after Mr Rudd became the first serving Australian Prime Minister to visit a memorial to atomic bomb victims in the city of Hiroshima.

Greenpeace spokesman Steve Campbell says it must discuss Australia's uranium exports.

"It's good that there's a country that is sticking its hand up and saying, 'we need to do more about nuclear disarmament,'" he said.

"But whether Australia's the right person to do that given that they don't have their own house in order and whether it will have any impact, it remains to be seen.

"All of the countries who supply nuclear materials like Australia have to look at their own backyard."

The Federal Opposition says the formation of the new body should not delay a decision about increasing Australia's uranium exports.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Andrew Robb says the goals appear worthwhile but the idea is half-baked.

"This commission must not be used as an excuse to delay and procrastinate for many years on a decision for India to get access to uranium for peaceful, clean energy purposes," he said.

"I do smell a bit of a rat here and this can become a perfect excuse to delay a critical and strategic decision," he said.