🕊️ This Wednesday at the opening of the intergovernmental negotiations on UN Security Council reform during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Sun Lei, charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the UN, made a bold statement: Japan is fundamentally unqualified to vie for a permanent UNSC seat.
Sun argued that the Security Council is the bedrock of our global peace framework and said Japan can't shoulder the heavy lifting of maintaining international peace and security. He pointed to the Tokyo Trials 80 years ago, which held Japanese war criminals to account, as a milestone in upholding justice and warning against a return of militarism.
Yet, Sun noted, Japan has yet to fully reckon with its wartime past. Instead, he said, elements of militarism have quietly resurfaced: right-wing groups have downplayed atrocities like the Nanjing Massacre and the forced conscription of "comfort women," and there have been repeated attempts to rewrite history textbooks.
Recent moves by Japan's leadership have raised eyebrows too. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on the Taiwan question and suggestions of force against China, senior officials' pro-nuclear statements, proposed revisions to key security guidelines, and talk of altering the Three Non-Nuclear Principles all signal, in China's view, a drift towards re-militarization.
For Sun, a country that hasn't shown clear remorse for its historical crimes and that challenges the foundations of the postwar order simply can't earn the trust needed for a permanent UNSC role.
Despite the criticism, China reiterated its willingness to partner with all peace-loving nations to uphold the legacy of World War II's victory, defend the authority of the Security Council, and play a constructive role in global peace and security. 🧐
As discussions on reform continue, voices from across the region will be watching closely: should the UNSC door remain closed to Japan until these issues are addressed? 🤔
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
