Japan, 2009

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

29 09-52320

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.