During her address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi underscored Japan’s commitment to the rule of law and expressed strong support for international judicial institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). Takaichi emphasized Japan’s ongoing dedication to fostering a free and open international order grounded in legal principles.
While Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s support for the ICC and other international courts, she notably refrained from directly addressing the U.S. sanctions imposed on ICC President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national. Nonetheless, Japan’s role in contributing Japanese judges to these courts was highlighted as part of its longstanding support.
In her speech, Takaichi advocated for the removal of the “enemy state” clauses in the UN Charter, aligning with a 2005 UN General Assembly resolution that called for their deletion. She also pressed for reforms to the UN Security Council, suggesting an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent memberships to better mirror the current global landscape.
Takaichi’s address also covered pressing economic and security issues, including the importance of enhancing supply-chain resilience. She voiced concerns over arbitrary export restrictions on essential resources and minerals, emphasizing the need for stable trade practices.
Turning to technological advancements, Takaichi recognized the dual nature of artificial intelligence as both an opportunity and a security challenge. She proposed that Japan would take the initiative by hosting an AI summit to explore potential risks associated with advanced AI systems.
Overall, Takaichi’s speech at the UN General Assembly highlighted Japan’s international policy focus on upholding the rule of law, fostering multilateral cooperation, advocating for UN reform, and addressing emerging security and technological challenges.