Japan, 2011

I would like to begin

by congratulating Mr. Al-Nasser on his assumption of

the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-

sixth session. I express my gratitude to Mr. Joseph

Deiss for his devoted efforts during his tenure as

President of the Assembly at the sixty-fifth session. I

would also like to pay my deep respects to Secretary-

General Ban Ki-moon for his leadership.

This has been a year of extraordinary challenges

for Japan. A little more than six months have passed

since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck Japan.

Nearly 20,000 people were killed or remain missing,

and nearly 40,000 who were forced to evacuate

continue to endure inconvenience in their daily lives. I

am truly proud to see the noble spirit of the Japanese

people manifest itself even amid such despair and

hardship. At the same time, I have been deeply moved

by the strong feelings of compassion shown by people

the world over towards Japan. There are many

unforgettable stories.

Ms. Rita Retnaningtyas, an Indonesian nurse

candidate and trainee at the Miyagi Hospital, evacuated

120 patients from the hospital to a safer location just

before the arrival of the tsunami. She stayed on at the

hospital for several days, taking care of the patients in

the absence of electricity and water.

In Brazil, the children of a small rural town

collected change and sent their contributions to us in a

tin can. I heard that, when asked why, one of the

children answered that it was because Japan, a friend

of Brazil, was suffering.

University students in Kenya gathered in Nairobi

in memory of Japanese victims of the earthquake. They

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sang in chorus the popular Japanese song known

outside Japan as “Sukiyaki” — whose original

Japanese title reads “Let Us Walk Looking Up” —

saying that they wished to deliver the song to the

Japanese people.

Those are only a few such stories among tens of

thousands. The world expressed friendship, solidarity

and praise for the Japanese people immediately after

the earthquake. On behalf of the people of Japan, I

express my heartfelt gratitude for the helping hands

extended from all over the world. These bonds between

Japan and the international community will be forever

remembered by the Japanese.

Since 11 March, the sounds of recovery have

echoed throughout the Tohoku region of Japan. The

Government of Japan has exerted every effort to

restore and reconstruct the disaster-affected areas. The

daily lives of those outside the affected areas,

including the metropolitan area of Tokyo, have

returned almost to normal. The infrastructure and

economy of the coastal areas of Tohoku, which were

washed away by the tsunami, are recovering. Damaged

supply chains are close to full restoration. We have

been sharply reminded of the role that Japanese

companies, including small and medium-sized

enterprises, play in sustaining the growth of the global

economy.

We are making steady progress towards securing

stable control of the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi

nuclear power stations of the Tokyo Electric Power

Company. Currently, we are focusing our efforts on

moving up the existing target period to achieve cold

shutdown status by the end of this year. A number of

other challenges remain to be addressed, including the

removal of debris and rebuilding of the livelihoods of

the Japanese people in the affected areas. We will

continue to be fully engaged in the restoration and

reconstruction efforts as our highest priority task so

that Japan’s renewal can be realized without delay.

As the new leader of Japan, I am deeply honoured

to discuss and share Japan’s ambitions for the world’s

future, as well as Japan’s diplomatic vision, with all

those in attendance here today at this meeting of the

General Assembly.

The world is undergoing tremendous changes,

including those now under way in the Middle East and

North Africa, which have been brought about by the

peoples’ awakening and their resulting common

awareness.

Through its experience of the massive earthquake

in March, Japan was again made aware of the

importance of its bonds with the people of the world.

We have come to fully realize the importance of the

responsibility to society that is fulfilled by each

individual. We have never felt more strongly the

significance of promoting human security. I am

resolved to implement Japanese diplomacy by working

closely with all the world leaders here at the United

Nations, with the determination to make a substantive

contribution to overcoming the challenges that the

world faces and shaping a brighter future for humanity.

Allow me to touch on Japan’s efforts to help the

world economy grow. Japan has a long history of

assisting developing countries to create prosperous

societies through nation-building and human-resource

development. From our own experience, we understand

very well that the engine of economic growth is a

strong middle class. In order to strengthen that middle

class, we must construct a social framework within

which all individuals can strengthen their capacities

and develop them to the full. In this regard, Japan will

continue to actively support developing countries

through its official development assistance.

We must not let the current global economic

uncertainty and financial unrest hamper the efforts of

the international community to achieve growth. It is

vital that all countries cooperate in order to bring

harmony out of the current chaos. I myself am

committed to doing my best as the new leader of Japan.

Achieving economic growth in tandem with fiscal

health is the most crucial challenge confronting the

world at the present time. Japan will press ahead with

its targets for restoring fiscal sustainability.

Meanwhile, as we recognize that revitalizing the

Japanese economy is directly linked to rebuilding the

world economy, we will work on strengthening

industrial infrastructure, employment and energy

conservation in our efforts to achieve a full recovery

from the earthquake disaster. In the mid-to-long term,

we intend to further reinforce partnerships between the

Japanese and other global economies. It is also

important that trade activities not be disturbed by

excessive currency volatility.

Furthermore, in order to help realize sustainable

growth of the Japanese economy, we will work to

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achieve a low-carbon society and a transition to a green

economy. The key to achieving these goals is

technological innovation in the areas of renewable

energies, saving energy and the clean use of fossil

fuels, all of which are considered part of green

innovation. By next summer, the Government of Japan

will have created a new strategy and plan for the

composition of Japan’s mid- to long-term energy use,

aimed at making a bold shift on energy policy. Japan

will also further improve on its excellent, safe, secure

and environmentally friendly technologies, represented

by energy-efficient houses and electric appliances and

vehicles, contributing to the growth of the global

economy and to a brighter future for all during the

discussions leading up to the 2012 United Nations

Conference on Sustainable Development.

Japan will throw all its efforts into seeking a safe

and brighter future. The run-up height, which is the

maximum onshore vertical height above sea level, of

the tsunami that hit the Tohoku district reached as high

as 40 metres, the highest in Japan in recorded history.

We have learned that we must be very well prepared. In

that regard, there are contributions that Japan, with

such experience behind it, is uniquely qualified to

make. The first lesson to be learned from Japan’s

recent tragedy is the importance of international

cooperation in disaster risk reduction.

We have a long history of combating and

overcoming natural disasters. In fact, we have actively

supported the response efforts to the disasters that have

occurred in recent years in areas such as Sumatra,

Sichuan in China, Haiti and New Zealand. As a country

that has learned to coexist harmoniously with nature,

we are prepared to share with the world our

accumulated knowledge and skills. As a first step,

Japan will hold an international conference in the

disaster-stricken Tohoku region next year designed to

improve international cooperation on coping with

natural disasters. To build on the outcome of that

conference, Japan proposes to host the Third United

Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction in

2015, and plans to take a leading role in the

international community in creating a disaster-resistant

world.

Next, Japan hopes to share its acquired

knowledge and experience in the field of nuclear

safety. I welcomed yesterday’s high-level meeting on

this issue held at the initiative of the Secretary-

General. Following the nuclear accident, Japan has

implemented emergency safety measures and further

strengthened its nuclear energy regulation regime. In

yesterday’s meeting, I expressed my resolve to

contribute positively to the reinforcement of global

nuclear power safety, drawing on our experiences with

the accident.

Next year, Japan will co-host an international

conference with the International Atomic Energy

Agency to share the results of the overall assessment of

the accident in comprehensive detail, and to contribute

to the various measures taken by the international

community to raise standards for nuclear safety.

Although some countries, regrettably, are still

imposing undue restrictions on imports from Japan, our

Government will continue to provide prompt, accurate

and transparent information on this matter. I would

request that all countries make sensible judgements

based on scientific evidence.

Global threats continue to proliferate. It is

essential to deal with the root causes of such threats

while taking steps to address them. Japan will continue

to respond to those challenges in order to ensure a

brighter and more peaceful future. With regard to the

issue of piracy off the coast of Somalia, Japan will

remain actively engaged in combating the problem

through continued deployment to the area of two

destroyers and two patrol aircraft.

Japan intends to enhance its efforts to eradicate

terrorism and its causes. Though a decade has passed

since the 9/11 attacks, our collective sorrow has yet to

heal. And in that connection, I would like to express

my sincere condolences on the death of Mr. Rabbani,

Chairman of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council. Japan

reiterates its firm condemnation of such atrocious acts

of terrorism. In order to prevent Afghanistan from once

again becoming a breeding ground for terrorism, we

will continue to confront the problem with strong

resolve. Japan has expressed its commitment to

providing approximately $5 billion in assistance over

five years beginning in 2009, focusing on security,

reintegrating former insurgents into society, and

development, and will continue to implement that

commitment.

United Nations peacekeeping missions are being

dispatched to fragile and conflict-prone States. Japan

will contribute to peacebuilding efforts by actively

participating in those operations. We must further

improve the conditions that promote that goal. At the

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same time, we will do our best to achieve the ideal of a

world without nuclear weapons through such efforts as

the multi-country non-proliferation and disarmament

initiative.

The nuclear and missile issues of the Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea pose a threat to the entire

international community, and Japan continues to urge

that country to take concrete steps towards resolving

those issues. In particular, the abduction issue

represents a violation of basic human rights. It is thus

an issue of universal import and a matter of great

concern for the entire international community. Japan

is committed to exerting all possible efforts to achieve

the return of all the victims at the earliest possible date,

through strengthened coordination with other Member

States.

With regard to relations between Japan and the

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan intends

to maintain its efforts to comprehensively resolve the

outstanding issues of concern, settle the unfortunate

past and normalize relations, in accordance with the

Japan-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Pyongyang Declaration of 2007. Japan urges the

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take

positive steps in order that our countries may have a

dialogue toward this goal.

In recent years, the role of the United Nations has

taken on greater significance than ever. In order for the

United Nations to tackle such issues more effectively,

Japan will continue to support increasing effectiveness

and efficiency in reinforcing the functions of the

United Nations.

Security Council reform is absolutely necessary

in that respect. We must revitalize the stagnated reform

process. All Member States must proactively commit to

the reform with a sense of urgency. The credibility of

the United Nations is at stake. Japan intends to launch

substantive negotiations toward the reform with like-

minded Members, in order to achieve tangible results

during the current session.

As I promised moments ago, Japan will recover

from the earthquake disaster and seek a peaceful, safe

and brighter future, side by side with the leaders

gathered here. For that purpose, Japan will maintain its

contribution to the attainment of the Millennium

Development Goals, focusing on health and education.

Moreover, Japan will continue its contribution to the

development of Africa by hosting the Fifth Tokyo

International Conference on African Development in

2013. Regarding the support intended to enable

developing countries to address climate change, Japan

will implement its quick-start finance commitments up

to next year. Japan will continue its support beyond

2012.

Today, I would like to announce Japan’s new

commitments. First, I wish to congratulate the people

of the Republic of South Sudan on achieving their

independence, and provide assurances that Japan will

extend wherever possible support for the nation-

building efforts in South Sudan as well as for the

consolidation of peace in the region. Japan is eager to

contribute to the United Nations Mission in South

Sudan in the fields in which Japan excels. From this

point of view, we are preparing to dispatch Japanese

Self-Defence Forces personnel to Mission

Headquarters as staff officers. Japan is also interested

in dispatching an engineering unit of our Self-Defence

Forces, regarding which the United Nations has

expressed high expectations. Japan therefore will

conduct the necessary field study as early as possible.

Second, Japan will remain actively involved in

the international community’s efforts with regard to

humanitarian crises. One of the most pressing

challenges at present is the drought in the Horn of

Africa, which is directly affecting the children of the

region. To mitigate this suffering as effectively as

possible, Japan will provide further humanitarian aid in

addition to the approximately $100 million in

assistance that it has already implemented.

The last commitment I wish to announce

concerns the Middle East and North Africa. Japan will

support reform and democratization efforts in this

region, which is now undergoing a massive change that

is often referred to as the Arab Spring. To improve the

employment situation and support human resources

development in the region, Japan is prepared to extend

an additional yen loan worth approximately $1 billion

for projects that are expected to contribute to

infrastructure building and industrial development.

Moreover, we will provide support to ensure fair

elections in Tunisia and Egypt, where polls are

scheduled to be held in autumn of this year. For a new

Libya, Japan will support the country’s nation-building

efforts in cooperation with the international

community, utilizing its expertise and technological

capacity. At the same time, Japan will deepen

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economic relations with Middle Eastern and North

African countries by further promoting trade and

investment through such means as trade insurance and

export loans. As Middle East peace represents the

linchpin for the peace and stability of the region, Japan

will make active efforts, such as extending assistance

to the Palestinians, for the realization of the two-State

solution.

To conclude my statement, I will touch briefly

upon what I have felt in the aftermath of the Great East

Japan Earthquake. After the events of 11 March this

year, I strongly felt the magnificence of a society in

which each individual undertakes actions in an orderly

manner, a society in which people help each other. In

addition, all lines of the Tohoku shinkansen bullet

trains, including a train that was running at

270 kilometres per hour at the time of the earthquake,

made emergency stops safely, without causing a single

injury. I believe this fact bears witness to Japan’s high

level of technical advancement.

I thus believe in the strength of the Japanese

people, which comes to the fore most prominently in

times of crisis. I am certain that such resilience, both

human and technological, which does not yield in the

face of enormous difficulties, will be the very source of

Japan’s future contribution to the international

community.

Let us take up the challenges for the resolution of

the issues confronting the world today, with strong

determination to pave the way to a brighter future for

humanity. As the new leader of Japan, I am determined

to make progress step by step towards a more peaceful,

prosperous and positive future, hand in hand with the

leaders assembled here today.

The people of Japan as well as the Government

are determined to overcome any and all difficulties. We

will continue our contribution towards a brighter future

for the people of the world.

I wish to close my statement by reiterating our

firm determination.