I should like to extend
my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Ali
Abdussalam Treki on his assuming the presidency of
the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session. I
should also like to express my respect to His
Excellency Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann for his
excellent leadership at the previous session. I also
highly commend the dedication and leadership of His
Excellency Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in tackling
the various challenging issues that the United Nations
faces at the present time.
It was 120 years ago, in 1889, that an electoral
system, while limited, was initiated in Japan. From that
time forward, the change of governments through
elections has been a matter of course in Japan. Japan
also enjoyed a period in the early twentieth century
known as the Taisho democracy.
Japan is thus a nation with a solid heritage of
democracy and elections. Since the Second World War,
however, Japan has not experienced changes of power
through the ballot box. Tensions between politicians
and bureaucrats disappeared. It cannot be denied that
as a result, Japan’s foreign policy has been somewhat
deprived of vitality.
However, on 30 August this year, the Japanese
people finally chose, through a general election, to
have a change of power. This is a triumph for
democracy in Japan and a victory for the Japanese
people.
Last week, on 16 September, I assumed the office
of Prime Minister of Japan, and thus I stand before you
today. My new Administration embodies the dynamism
of democracy and will exert all efforts to address both
domestic affairs and foreign policy challenges through
our all-Japan agenda.
Japan’s membership in the United Nations was
approved on 18 December 1956. The Prime Minister at
the time was Ichiro Hatoyama, my grandfather. At the
eleventh session of the General Assembly, where Japan
made its maiden speech, then-Foreign Minister
Mamoru Shigemitsu stated:
“The substance of Japan’s political,
economic and cultural life is the product of the
fusion within the last century of the civilizations
of the Orient and the Occident. In a way, Japan
may well be regarded as a bridge between the
East and the West. It is fully conscious of the
great responsibilities of such a position.”
(A/PV.623, para. 80)
My grandfather Ichiro, Prime Minister at that
time, was an advocate of the concept of “yu-ai”, or
fraternity. This “yu-ai” is a way of thinking that
respects one’s own freedom and individual dignity
while also respecting the freedom and individual
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dignity of others. There is a remarkable resonance
between the concept of the bridge in Mamoru
Shigemitsu’s address and Ichiro’s concept of “yu-ai”,
or fraternity.
Now, 53 years later, here before the very same
General Assembly, I declare with firm determination
that Japan will again play the role of a bridge. Today,
the world faces numerous arduous challenges. This is
not an easy era by any means, but the new Japan will
not turn its back on such challenges. Based upon the
spirit of “yu-ai”, or fraternity, Japan will make utmost
efforts to become a bridge for the world, between the
Orient and the Occident, between developed and
developing countries and between diverse civilizations.
Today, I should like to address the Assembly
regarding five challenges that Japan intends to take on
in serving as this bridge.
The first is seeking measures to respond to the
global economic crisis. While the global economy
appears to have emerged from the worst stage of the
crisis, it is still difficult to predict its future prospects,
including the issue of employment. What Japan must
do in this area is, first of all, to revive its own
economy. The new Japan has a plan for achieving this.
Child allowances totalling 5.5 trillion yen per year will
serve not only as an investment in education but also as
a means of stimulating consumption and addressing the
low birth rate in Japan.
The abolishment of provisional rates on auto-
related taxes will provide tax relief amounting to
2.5 trillion yen per year and at the same time is
expected to enhance the cost competitiveness of
Japanese industries through the revitalization of the
distribution infrastructure.
On a topic I will return to later, we are setting a
very ambitious target to tackle climate change, which
should result in the creation of new markets, including
for electric vehicles, solar power generation and clean
energy businesses. Furthermore, we will ensure stable
potential for growth through the creation of new
industries and new technologies in maritime, space,
next-generation information technology and other
fields.
By reviewing economic policies through this
change of power, Japan is sending a clear signal of the
forthcoming revival of its economy.
The new Japan will also need to respond
appropriately to globalization. The deepening of
worldwide interdependence described by the term
“globalization” includes aspects of both light and
shadow. Expanding the light while controlling the
shadow has become a task on a global scale for today’s
world. As we advance the liberalization of trade and
investment, international coordination is necessary to
forge systems to rein in the issues of poverty and
economic disparity — which are difficult to coordinate
by simply leaving them to market mechanisms — and
excessive money-making games. Japan will play a role
as a bridge in international forums, including the
Group of 20, towards the formulation of common rules
to that end.
The second challenge is to address the climate
change issue. As is apparent from the increased
incidence of extreme weather events, rising sea levels
and other phenomena, climate change is a danger that
is already confronting us. Furthermore, efforts by one
country can produce only limited effects. However, due
to differences in short-term interests between
developed and developing countries, and among
developed countries as well as among developing
countries, the path towards creating a post-2012
framework will be anything but smooth. The new
Japanese Government has set a very ambitious target
for a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 25 per cent
by 2020, as compared to the 1990 level.
It has also made it clear that it is prepared to
provide more financial and technical assistance to
developing countries than in the past, in accordance
with the progress of international negotiations. This
international commitment is premised on the
formulation of a fair and effective international
framework by all major economies and agreement on
their ambitious targets. Japan has announced this
ambitious pledge because it wishes to serve as a bridge
among countries with varied interests and to preserve
the planet for future generations. I would like to appeal
strongly to the representatives present today — let us
work together to ensure the success of the upcoming
Copenhagen meeting.
The third challenge is that of nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation. I welcome the
progress being made in the negotiations on nuclear
weapons reduction between the United States and the
Russian Federation. I also commend the United
Kingdom and France for their initiatives. It is urgent
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that all nuclear-weapon States take concrete measures
on nuclear disarmament. There are States currently
engaged in efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
Furthermore, there is an increasingly greater risk that
nuclear materials and nuclear technologies will be
passed onto terrorists or even actually used.
In this area as well, Japan has the potential to
become a promoter of nuclear disarmament and to
serve as a bridge between States possessing nuclear
weapons and those without them. Japan can speak with
the greatest persuasiveness in urging nuclear-weapon
States towards nuclear disarmament and non-nuclear-
weapon States to avoid the temptation to acquire
nuclear weapons. Japan can do so because it is the only
country which has ever suffered the devastation of
atomic bombs and, as such, has never ceased to appeal
for no more Hiroshimas and no more Nagasakis. Japan
has also continued to maintain its three non-nuclear
principles, despite its potential capability to acquire
nuclear weapons.
In April this year in Prague, President
Barack Obama articulated a vision of a world without
nuclear weapons, inspiring people throughout the
globe. I am one of those people. In order to ensure the
success of the Review Conference of the Parties to the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
to be held next year in May, we must take action now
towards the early entry into force of the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the early
commencement of negotiations on a fissile material
cut-off treaty.
Here, I must touch upon the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea. Its nuclear tests and missile
launches are a threat to the peace and stability not only
of the region, but also of the international community
as a whole, and cannot be condoned under any
circumstances. It is imperative that the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea comply fully with the
relevant Security Council resolutions and that the
international community implement these resolutions.
Japan will continue its efforts to realize the
denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through the
Six-Party Talks. Japan seeks to normalize relations
with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in
accordance with the Pyongyang Declaration issued by
our two countries, through the comprehensive
resolution of the outstanding issues of concern with the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including the
abduction, nuclear and missile issues, as well as by
sincerely moving beyond the unfortunate past.
In particular, regarding the abduction issue,
constructive actions by the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, including swiftly commencing a
full investigation as agreed last year, will be an avenue
towards progress in relations between our two
countries. If the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea takes such constructive and sincere actions,
Japan is ready to respond positively.
The fourth challenge is posed by issues related to
peacebuilding, development and poverty. Even in the
twenty-first century, the world has not been liberated
from the problems of poverty, infectious diseases,
health, education, water and sanitation, food and illegal
drugs. The situation is particularly serious in
developing countries.
I am also compelled to point out the unfortunate
reality that fragile or failed States can become breeding
grounds for terrorism. The global economic crisis that
began last year has exacerbated the situation. The new
Japan should also become a bridge in this area. Japan
will work in partnership with international and
non-governmental organizations and strengthen its
assistance to developing countries in terms of both
quality and quantity.
Japan intends to continue and strengthen the
Tokyo International Conference on African
Development process, and redouble its efforts towards
the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
and the promotion of human security.
For the stability and reconstruction of
Afghanistan, Japan has provided assistance in a broad
range of fields, such as strengthening the security
sector, including through assistance for police, and
developing social infrastructure. Japan has also
extended agricultural assistance and capacity-building
support, including vocational training, through the
Japan International Cooperation Agency, its aid
implementation agency.
Japan will proactively support Afghanistan’s own
efforts to ensure its stability and reconstruction, in
conjunction with the international community. It goes
without saying that the primary actors in achieving
peace in Afghanistan and in advancing national
31 09-52320
reconstruction are the people of Afghanistan
themselves.
As progress is made, the reconciliation and
reintegration of insurgents will become critical issues.
Japan will make vital contributions in these areas,
including possible reintegration assistance, such as
vocational training aimed at providing a means of
livelihood to people who have undergone
reconciliation. The stability of the surrounding region
is also important, and Japan is steadfastly providing
support for Pakistan and other countries in the area.
In the world in which we now live, national
security and human security are becoming increasingly
intertwined. The path forward that will save humanity
is one which can bring about shared security in which
various nations, ethnicities, races and religions coexist
while acknowledging the differences among them. In
other words, it is to bring about shared security through
the principles of yuai, or fraternity.
The fifth challenge is to build an East Asian
community. Today, there is no way that Japan can
develop without deeply involving itself in the Asia and
Pacific regions. Reducing the region’s security risks
and sharing in one another’s economic dynamism,
based on the principle of open regionalism, will result
in tremendous benefits not only for Japan but also for
the region and the international community. Given the
historical circumstances arising from its mistaken
actions in the past, Japan has hesitated to play a
proactive role in this region. It is my hope that the new
Japan can overcome this history and become a bridge
among the countries of Asia.
I look forward to an East Asian community taking
shape as an extension of the accumulated cooperation
built up step by step among partners who have the
capacity to work together, starting with fields in which
we can cooperate — free trade agreements, finance,
currency, energy, the environment, disaster relief and
more. Of course, Rome was not built in a day, so let us
seek to move forward steadily on this, even if at a
moderate pace.
In closing, I would like representatives to recall
that the United Nations is the forum in which bridging
diplomacy is made manifest. In resolving various
issues of international peace and stability, development
and the environment, among others, the United Nations
has an immense role to play. I intend to make greater
use of the Organization and to work to enhance the
effectiveness and efficiency of the United Nations as a
whole.
I firmly believe that Japan has the capacity to
play an even greater role in the United Nations, and
above all at the Security Council, as a bridge between
various countries. Japan will continue to participate
actively in the intergovernmental negotiations on
Security Council reform, pursuing the expansion of
both permanent and non-permanent membership and of
Japan’s permanent membership in the Council. This
concludes my message from the new Japan.