Takaichi: Japan committed to free, open intl. order | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae says Japan will continue to contribute to the maintenance and development of a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Takaichi delivered an address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

She opened her speech saying the free and open international order based on the rule of law that "we have fostered" is facing difficult challenges on multiple fronts.

The prime minister said the UN has never been more important than it is today in bringing about peace and stability to the world and enabling the international community to overcome new challenges and prosper. She pledged Japan will continue to fulfill its significant responsibilities towards the world body.

On North Korea, Takaichi expressed concerns over the strengthening of its military cooperation with Russia. She described the advancement of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as clear violations of relevant Security Council resolutions.

Takaichi also stressed the need to immediately resolve the issue of abductions by North Korea. She expressed her readiness to engage in dialogue with the North and take concrete action.

Takaichi noted that since the end of World War Two, Japan, as a peace-loving nation, has attached great importance to the rule of law in the settlement of any disputes. She said this is demonstrated by Japan's consistent support for and its contributions of judges to various international judicial organs, such as the International Criminal Court.

As for UN reforms, Takaichi called for removing the so-called "enemy states" clauses from the UN Charter. They refer to countries, including Japan and Germany, that were defeated in World War Two as enemy states.

The prime minister also said it is essential to expand the number of both permanent and non-permanent members on the Security Council, and voiced Japan's determination to fulfill its responsibility in these UN reforms.

Takaichi wrapped up her speech by saying that in the 70 years since becoming a UN member state, Japan has consistently contributed to the peace and prosperity of the international community under its exclusively defense-oriented policy. She said this will remain unchanged in the future.

She added that together with the UN, Japan is determined to create peace and prosperity by making the Indo-Pacific and the international community more resilient and prosperous.