Japan Aims for UN Security Council Permanent Membership... Calls for Security Council Reform

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is delivering a speech at the 89th Liberal Democratic Party convention held at a hotel in Tokyo on the morning of the 13th. [Image source=Kyodo News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Japan is arguing for the need to reform the United Nations Security Council in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Analysts interpret this as a strategic move aimed at securing a permanent seat on the Security Council.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun on the 13th, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the Liberal Democratic Party convention held at a hotel in Tokyo, stating that it "demonstrates the need to establish a new international order." He emphasized that reform of the UN and the Security Council is necessary as a measure to achieve this.

Prime Minister Kishida described Russia's invasion as "an outrage by Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council bearing great responsibility for international peace and stability," and pledged to devote all efforts to realizing Security Council reform.

Japan's proposed Security Council reform is highly likely to include Japan's entry as a permanent member. Japan has formed the so-called 'G4' with countries such as Germany, India, and Brazil, which also aim for permanent membership, advocating for Security Council reform focused on expanding both permanent and non-permanent seats.

However, the likelihood of this plan being realized remains low. Expanding permanent membership requires amending the UN Charter. Such an amendment requires approval and ratification by two-thirds of all member states and must be ratified by all five current permanent members (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia). China and Russia have continuously opposed Japan's bid for permanent membership, making Japan's entry into the Security Council difficult.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.