Amid turbulence in the international community, it has been pointed out that the United Nations is unable to respond appropriately to emerging threats. However, the cause of this lies entirely with China and Russia.   Japan has a significant role to play in restoring the function of the United Nations.   Japan was elected as a nonpermanent member of the….Read more

All national papers wrote from New York that the UN General Assembly on Thursday elected Japan, Switzerland, and three other nations as nonpermanent members of the UN Security Council, explaining that this was the twelfth time ever and the first time in five years for Japan to be granted a seat on the powerful body. The two-year tenure begins next….Read more

A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution for strengthening sanctions against North Korea, following its violations in launching an international ballistic missile (ICBM), garnered a vote of 13 in favor and 2 against on May 26. China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council, exercised their vetoes and the measure failed.   Since the UNSC first adopted sanctions….Read more

Taiwan’s participation as an observer at the World Health Organization (WHO) was rejected again at the May 22-28 meeting of the assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland. This was the sixth consecutive year that China’s vindictive backlash following the inauguration of the Tsai administration had led to the exclusion of Taiwan.   Infections due to the virus that causes COVID-19 have….Read more

Saturday’s Yomiuri and Asahi wrote that China’s Foreign Ministry and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) announced on Friday that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will visit the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China on May 23-28. According to the OHCHR, Bachelet is planning to visit Kashgar and Urumqi and hold talks with….Read more

The United Nations has come under louder calls for reforms over the Security Council’s inaction against the Russian invasion of Ukraine that was in blatant violation of the U.N. Charter.   Since a Security Council resolution can be killed by any of its permanent members exercising its veto power, we naturally believe in seeking to change this rule to counter….Read more