In his first UN speech, Prime Minister Kishida calls for reform of UN Security Council, condemns Russia by name, and shows resolve for nuclear disarmament
Sep. 22, 2022
by Koji Higuchi, Staff Writer
NEW YORK—In the afternoon of September 20 (the morning of September 21 in Japan), Prime Minister Fumio Kishida started his diplomacy at the United Nations (UN) at full scale.
In his general debate speech at UN General Assembly, Mr. Kishida expressed his resolution to realize of a world without nuclear weapons. He also criticized Russia, which is invading Ukraine, by name and called for reform of the UN Security Council. He is also seeking an opportunity to have a meeting with Joe Biden, the President of the United States (U.S.), and considering possible contact with South Korean President Suk-yeol Yoon. With an aim to realize early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), he will hold the first leader-level meeting, too.
The prime minister stressed Russia’s threatening the use of nuclear weapons was absolutely unacceptable. Looking back at the failure to adopt a final document by consensus at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference in August, he said, “As the only nation to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan has a unique historic role and we renew our resolve to realize “a world without nuclear weapons.” We will continue to make realistic efforts to achieve this goal.”
In the meeting concerning the CTBT, he is also willing to enhance momentum for nuclear disarmament efforts ahead of the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) which will take place in Hiroshima in May next year.
The Japanese prime minister delivered the in-person speech on-site at the UN for the first time in three years. It is rare for Japan to criticize a specific nation by mentioning its name at the UN General Assembly. When Yoshihide Suga, then prime minister of Japan gave a video speech in September last year, North Korea was the only nation he criticized by name.
To reform the UN Security Council, which is pointed out to become dysfunctional, Mr. Kishida suggested to start text-based negotiations by 2024.
After delivery of the speech, Mr. Kishida had the first Japan-United Kingdom (U.K.) bilateral summit with prime minister Elizabeth Truss, and confirmed their partnership against China. He also showed willingness to have a meeting with U.S. president Biden while attending a meeting organized by UN Women, the UN organization working on the promotion of women’s empowerment. As for full-fledged talks with South Korean President Suk-yeol Yoon, he will accept if South Korea reaches out to him.
(Originally published on September 22, 2022)
NEW YORK—In the afternoon of September 20 (the morning of September 21 in Japan), Prime Minister Fumio Kishida started his diplomacy at the United Nations (UN) at full scale.
In his general debate speech at UN General Assembly, Mr. Kishida expressed his resolution to realize of a world without nuclear weapons. He also criticized Russia, which is invading Ukraine, by name and called for reform of the UN Security Council. He is also seeking an opportunity to have a meeting with Joe Biden, the President of the United States (U.S.), and considering possible contact with South Korean President Suk-yeol Yoon. With an aim to realize early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), he will hold the first leader-level meeting, too.
The prime minister stressed Russia’s threatening the use of nuclear weapons was absolutely unacceptable. Looking back at the failure to adopt a final document by consensus at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference in August, he said, “As the only nation to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, Japan has a unique historic role and we renew our resolve to realize “a world without nuclear weapons.” We will continue to make realistic efforts to achieve this goal.”
In the meeting concerning the CTBT, he is also willing to enhance momentum for nuclear disarmament efforts ahead of the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) which will take place in Hiroshima in May next year.
The Japanese prime minister delivered the in-person speech on-site at the UN for the first time in three years. It is rare for Japan to criticize a specific nation by mentioning its name at the UN General Assembly. When Yoshihide Suga, then prime minister of Japan gave a video speech in September last year, North Korea was the only nation he criticized by name.
To reform the UN Security Council, which is pointed out to become dysfunctional, Mr. Kishida suggested to start text-based negotiations by 2024.
After delivery of the speech, Mr. Kishida had the first Japan-United Kingdom (U.K.) bilateral summit with prime minister Elizabeth Truss, and confirmed their partnership against China. He also showed willingness to have a meeting with U.S. president Biden while attending a meeting organized by UN Women, the UN organization working on the promotion of women’s empowerment. As for full-fledged talks with South Korean President Suk-yeol Yoon, he will accept if South Korea reaches out to him.
(Originally published on September 22, 2022)
