Japan has its eyes on a UNSC permanent seat, and the Permanent Representative Yamazaki Kazuyuki knows how to secure it via diplomacy. Japan, a global power, is working tirelessly to secure a consensus among the UN Members to reform the Security Council. Reform is needed to reflect the current reality of the world. Japan is determined to realize it, even if that means a clause preventing it from the use of the veto power for a decade. To realize that, first, the UN Charter must be amended, which could take a long time because the current five permanent members wonder:
“Why the rush?”
Japan’s term on the Security Council ended at the end of last year. What key priorities will Japan emphasize at the United Nations this year?
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. As the international community becomes increasingly divided, promoting multilateralism by revising the aims and spirit of the UN Charter is becoming increasingly important. In this context, Japan continues to focus on the rule of law, human security, education, health, peacebuilding, and nuclear disarmament and puts importance on implementing the commitments made by Member States in the Pact for the Future and its annexes, the outcome documents of the Summit of the Future in September last year.
The Pact includes recommendations for sustainable development, financing, science and technology, innovation, digital cooperation, and reform of global governance referring to the need for urgent reform of the Security Council.
Seizing this opportunity, Japan will make further efforts to realize a Security Council that better reflects the current situation of the world, including by expanding the number of both permanent and non-permanent members, particularly in terms of improving representation of Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
What challenges did you face during the Security Council presidency?
During our term as President of the Security Council in January 2023 and March 2024, we worked hard to make fair, impartial and swift decisions regarding the management of the proceedings based on rules. In March last year, the Security Council was able to adopt resolution 2728, which was jointly drafted by the ten elected Council members and called for a ceasefire in Gaza. This was achieved by making use of Japan’s close relationship with the United States and friendly relations with Arab and other countries. Japan made consistent efforts to bridge the parties concerned.
Secretary-General António Guterres (front left) speaks with Yamazaki Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan and President of the Security Council for the month of March, ahead of the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Sudan and South Sudan. The Council heard Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan.
The Security Council (SC) needs reform. What is needed to make it more effective and represented?
The basic structure of the Security Council hasn’t changed since the UN was founded in 1945. There is a need for reform to match the realities of the modern world. At the General Assembly last year, over 110 countries spoke out in favor of reforming the Council. The momentum is growing. The negotiations have discussed issues such as how far to expand, including the expansion of permanent members, and the veto power. The issue is how to adjust its representativeness, which concerns the legitimacy of the Council and UN. Japan will continue to work energetically to seek its permanent presence in the Council.
Why is Japan seeking a permanent seat? When that happens, what role can you play as a permanent member?
Japan has made a particular contribution in disarmament and non-proliferation, the consolidation of peace and nation-building, and human security. Financially, Japan is the third largest contributor to the UN.
By becoming a permanent member, Japan, a country that values multilateralism and the rule of law, will be able to play a more active role in achieving and maintaining international peace and security by participating in the Council’s decision-making. I hope that this will happen as soon as possible, but it depends on the negotiation among UN Members. In the Summit of the Future, the UN Membership emphasized the urgency of the reform. We would like to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible through engaging in text-based negotiations.
Why is the United Nations General Assembly important for Japan?
The General Assembly is important for every Member State because it represents the entire UN Membership, where the UN ownership lies. With the highly complex current global situation, it is vital to reaffirm the shared responsibility of the Membership through a General Assembly that is capable of reflecting the diverse views and positions of its Member States.
Osaka 2025 Expo:
The upcoming Expo is seen as an opportunity to unite people globally post-pandemic. Its theme, “Designing a Future Society for Our Lives,” aims to promote the SDGs, empowering individuals to realize their potential and work towards a sustainable future. The diplomat highlights the urgency of achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Secretary-General António Guterres (front left) speaks with Yamazaki Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan and President of the Security Council for the month of March, ahead of the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Sudan and South Sudan. The Council heard Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan.
What role can Japan play to solve conflicts such as the Palestine Question?
As mentioned earlier, it was with Japan’s relationship with the concerned countries that the Security Council was able to adopt the resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza.
Based on its development and humanitarian assistance, Japan has built up a relationship of trust with many countries. This trust is our tremendous asset, which we will further utilize to contribute to conflict resolution.
Japan is a strong advocate in peace-building and conflict prevention. Since its establishment in 2005, Japan has been a consistent member of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), and last year Japan was the informal coordinator between the PBC and Security Council. Japan can also be a contributor through projects centered on the concept of human security.
International peace and security require actors to work together. How do you envision Japan’s role in both cases: multilateralism, or the unilateral system that some countries wish to keep?
As a multilateral platform with a unique and universal character, the UN is expected to play the central role in moving toward cooperation and harmony, rather than division and confrontation. Japan will support multilateralism and promote decision-making based on broad consensus, carefully listening to the different voices. In the areas of economic development, Japan continues to be a bridge between the developed and Global-South countries. These efforts will help the international community to work together.
What are the contributions of Japan to peace and security outside the UN?
Japan is also placing importance on peace cooperation among allies and like-minded countries.
On the principle of the rule of law, Japan is promoting a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” building upon dialogue and cooperation. Japan also advances diplomacy aimed at maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Japan’s initiatives related to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are not limited to at the UN. For example, the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without nuclear weapons, which Japan launched in 2022, has brought together 15 prominent experts from nuclear and non-nuclear weapon states. Its sixth meeting is being planned for this spring, aiming at compiling recommendations for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
First of all, it is significant that the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) has received the Nobel Peace Prize.
In the current severe international situation, Japan, as the only country to have suffered from nuclear attacks during war, has led practical and realistic efforts towards “a world without nuclear weapons”. Last March, then-Foreign Minister Kamikawa held a ministerial-level Security Council meeting, where Council members shared the importance of maintaining and strengthening the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime centered on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and accelerated discussions between nuclear and non-nuclear weapon states.
During the last High-level Week, then-Prime Minister Kishida hosted the launch meeting of the Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), where nuclear and non-nuclear weapon states welcomed this initiative and provided cross-regional cooperation.
In addition, Japan has submitted a draft resolution to the General Assembly every year calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons, which was adopted with the support of 152 countries last year.
This year marks the 80th year since the atomic bombings. The government plans to promote understanding of the reality of atomic bombings by dispatching A-bomb survivors (Hibakushas) overseas, promoting visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and strengthening international communications.
You have been Japan’s permanent representative to the UN for a few years: did you face any difficulties?
I have been involved with the UN for the past five years including in Geneva. Both in New York and Geneva, I had opportunities to meet with victims of conflict. When division became prominent, I tried to think about how we can help these people. “Human dignity” is at the center of our foreign policy, and we are committed to a world toward cooperation and reconciliation. We will continue to make efforts based on this approach at the UN.
How would Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai empower people’s potential and tackle world challenges?
The Osaka-Kansai Expo is expected to serve as a platform for global unity in the post-pandemic era. Its theme, “Designing a Future Society for Our Lives”, aims to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), empowering individuals to realize their potential, and work towards a sustainable future. 2025 is a critical year to achieve the SDGs with just 5 years left until 2030.
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