In first U.N. speech, Takaichi calls for removal of Japan’s wartime ‘enemy state’ label
Beijing has latched on to the clause in its row with Tokyo, insisting it remains legally binding and serves as safeguard of the postwar order.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered her maiden address to the United Nations General Assembly, advocating for a reform of the body, including the removal of a provision from the 1940s that labels Japan as an "enemy state." This label has become a contentious issue in the ongoing dispute between China and Japan. Speaking 70 years after Japan's initial admission to the U.N. in 1956, Takaichi reiterated Japan's dedication to multilateralism.
She emphasized that the UN has "never been more critical" in the face of mounting skepticism regarding its capacity to avert conflicts. However, Takaichi argued that for the UN to effectively promote peace, it must undergo a transformation into a "stronger and more efficient United Nations" and win back the confidence of the global community.
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