Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio joined other free nations at the 77th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday in angrily condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine as a “trampling of the visions and principles of the United Nations Charter.”
“What is important for any and all countries is to be under the rule of law, not the rule of force, which we absolutely cannot allow,” he declared.
“We must face the fact that the UN’s credibility is at stake because of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, a permanent member of the Security Council. We, the member states of the United Nations, must work to restore the credibility of this organization,” he urged.
Like other leaders who have made similar statements to the General Assembly, Kishida was briefed on how to reform and strengthen the United Nations over objections from Russia, China and other aggressive states that threaten the “international rules-based order.”
He made a point of calling for “reform” of the UN Security Council, and although he did not go into detail about those changes, his main example of the need for reform was Russia using its Security Council influence to block and soften resolutions against it. His invasion of Ukraine.
Watch Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio address the United Nations below
Kishida strongly criticized Russia for “threating to use nuclear weapons”, an “absolutely unacceptable” move he condemned as “a serious threat to the peace and security of the international community”, speaking as a prime minister whose family members. Hiroshima.
Kishida last month criticized Russia for blocking efforts to “strengthen” the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a move because Moscow was disappointed With UN criticism for seizing and endangering Ukrainian nuclear facilities.
He also stated his willingness to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un “without conditions” to discuss denuclearization, along with other long-standing issues such as North Korea’s abduction of Japanese citizens, although recently rubber-stamped the North Korean legislature. pass a law Outlaw nuclear talks.
Kishida described “rule by force” as opposed to “rule of law” and said it was important for the United Nations to strengthen it because developing countries could only thrive in a legal environment where powerful powers “do not permit any attempt. to force or coerce territories.” Change the status quo.”
It was clearly a rebuke to both Russia for attacking Ukraine and China for aggressive actions in the South China Sea, although the Japanese prime minister did not call out China by name.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 20, 2022. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty)
Much of Kishida’s speech was a recitation of Japan’s contributions to various international initiatives and aid programs, including the global fight against the Chinese coronavirus.
Caught up in his theme of “human security,” his implication was that such a global effort could only develop under the rule of law because rule by force means aggressive, authoritarian regimes can corrupt great programs, cut off humanitarian aid, and cut off economic aid. can .
The world is currently full Disappointing example Countries where investors and international aid programs are reluctant to help, for fear of having their investments stolen, or whose political elites have been bought off by China.
