Japan calls for UN reform over inability to act on Ukraine

United Nations, Sep 20 (EFE).- Japan’s prime minister on Tuesday called for reform of the United Nations Security Council amid its inability to act against Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, partly due to Russia having veto power as a permanent member.

Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, Fumio Kishida said that the “credibility of the United Nations is at stake due to the aggression against Ukraine by Russia, a permanent member of the security council.”

“We, the member states of the UN, must act to restore this organization’s credibility,” he added.

For decades, Japan has sought to secure a permanent seat on the UN’s highest decision-making body and views the war in Ukraine as a new argument in favor of UNSC reform.

Kishida highlighted the clear condemnation of the Russian invasion, approved by an overwhelming majority in the 193-member UN General Assembly, and said that it showed the direction in which the international community must head.

Japan’s leader said that the war launched by Moscow attacked the very principles of the UN Charter and urged the protection of the rule of law to prevent the world from being ruled by force.

He also criticized Russia for threatening to use nuclear weapons and said it was a “serious threat to the peace and security of the international community” and “absolutely unacceptable.”

“We must ensure that Nagasaki remains the last place to suffer an atomic bombing,” he said.

Kishida also referred to tensions with North Korea and said that Japan was prepare to engage in a dialogue on “matter of mutual concern.”

“I am determined to meet with (leader) Kim Jong-un without any conditions,” Kishida said. EFE

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