Japanese Prime Minister 
Sanae Takaichi used her first address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to call for reform of the world body, including removal of the UN Charter's wartime "enemy state" clauses covering Japan. Beijing, the Japan Times reported, has latched on to the clause in its row with Tokyo, insisting it remains legally binding and serves as a safeguard of the postwar order.
What did she say about the clause? Takaichi, in remarks reported by CNA, said it should be deleted as soon as possible, calling it a matter of the pride and honour of Japan, which has made major contributions to the UN's work. The provisions are parts of Articles 107, 77 and 53 of the Charter and carve out exceptions for former Axis states to the general prohibition on the use of force. She also pressed for reform of the Security Council, Liberty Times reported.
How did she describe the UN's role? Speaking 70 years after Japan's admission to the UN in 1956, Takaichi reaffirmed Tokyo's commitment to multilateralism and, the Japan Times reported, said the organisation had "never been more important" despite growing doubts about its ability to prevent conflicts. To fulfil its duty of promoting peace, she said, it "must be reborn as a 'more resilient and effective United Nations' and regain the trust of the international community."
What did she say about the International Criminal Court? Postwar Japan, as a peaceful nation, has valued the rule of law in resolving any conflict, Takaichi said, adding that Japan has always supported the court and will keep sending judges to it, CNA reported. The speech, Japanese broadcaster FNN reported, made no mention of US sanctions on the court's Japanese president, Tomoko Akane.
What else did she raise? On North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens, she said some victims are still deprived of their freedom and that their families' suffering is ongoing and a matter of human life, CNA reported. With victims and their families ageing, the issue must be resolved as soon as possible, she said, adding that she was ready for dialogue and concrete action on a summit with North Korea's leader. She also said Japan is compiling a comprehensive cooperation plan to strengthen the economic and energy-supply resilience of Gulf states in the Middle East.
Figures referenced: Sanae Takaichi. — JudgeMarket.
