YouSaid · the spoken record

Bessho

lines on the record: 853
first: 2016-06-29
most recent: 2019-10-29
sittings or episodes: 176
sources: un-security-council

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“From next January, Japan will support the UN- Women project in Sri Lanka under the women and peace and security partnership initiative of the Group of Seven. The project will include support to empowering women and their participation in national reconciliation processes. On the issue of comfort women mentioned by the representative of the Republic of Korea, Japan has been dealing with that issue for a long period of time, including through the December 2015 agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea. In conclusion, the women and peace and security agenda is one ofthe most important issues discussed in the Security Council. Ibelieve that strong commitments from Member States and concrete actions will push forward the women and peace and security agenda during the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) next year and beyond.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“The United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict provides crucial assistance to relevant Governments, particularly in the areas of criminal investigation and prosecution, legislative reform and the capacity- building of judicial and security authorities. As a leading donor, Japan will continue to support the efforts of the Team of Experts. Gender equality and the economic and political empowerment of women are necessary to promote meaningful participation by women in peace and security. From that standpoint, Japan has supported women affected by conflict in the Middle East and Africa regions through gender-based Violence related services and vocational training in collaboration with UN-Women, the United Nations Population Fund and other United Nations agencies.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“Today, I would like to reiterate Japan's commitment to strengthening the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda, building on the outcome of our efforts based on the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions. Japan strongly supports the international fund for survivors of conflict-related sexual Violence, which will be launched at the event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the mandate on sexual violence in conflict tomorrow. Japan wishes to be a proactive contributor and a board member of the fund. We are currently making the necessary arrangements to make an appropriate financial contribution to the fund. Sexual violence in conflict is a great obstacle to sustaining peace.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank South Africa for convening this meeting, focusing on the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda towards the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) next year. Japan welcomes the adoption of the new resolution 2493 (2019), which we co-sponsored. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe, Japan attaches great importance to promoting the women and peace and security agenda as one of the three core pillars of its efforts to create a society where women shine. Resolution 1325 (2000) was a historic resolution, which recognizes women not as passive and vulnerable victims but rather as proactive participants who contribute to conflict prevention and resolution and peace processes.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“Japan believes that continued diplomatic efforts are needed to decrease the tensions and stabilize the situation. In cooperation with the relevant parties, we will make further diplomatic efforts to that end.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“In 2013, Japan, together with regional partners, initiated the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development in order to promote Palestine's economic development by utilizing the resources and experiences of East Asian countries. An increasing number of countries and partners from civil society and the private sector have joined the initiative, and we hope that still more will do so. Let me conclude by briefly addressing wider regional issues. Since energy resources and many other goods are transported from, to and through the Middle East, peace and security in the region, including securing the safety of navigation, are extremely important to international peace and prosperity, including for Japan. The current high tensions in the region are therefore of serious concern.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“Japan believes that the assistance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) plays a crucial role in that regard. We have already disbursed more than $32 million to UNRWA this year and will soon provide additional assistance of around $11 million for education, water and sanitation and food assistance. Along with other international partners, Japan will continue to support the Agency in this difficult time through multidimensional contributions. We believe that every country can contribute to creating an environment that is conducive to peace efforts.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“We strongly condemn violence and terrorism against innocent civilians, and call on the parties concerned to take immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence, provocations and incitement. Last month in the General Assembly, President Abbas of Palestine announced his intention to hold general elections (see A/74/PV.7). Elections are fundamental to democracy. We call on all the parties to take the necessary measures for free and fair elections and hope that they will contribute to peace and stability in the region. Japan firmly believes that we can shed light on the pathway to peace and security by offering hope to Palestinians for their future and helping them maintain their dignity.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for his briefing. Japan remains committed to supporting a two- State solution to the Palestinian-Israeli question. The final status of Jerusalem should be resolved through negotiations based on the relevant Security Council resolutions and the known parameters. We must continue to encourage the parties to seek a solution through negotiations. Japan will remain engaged with both sides and will continue to promote confidence-building measures. The continued settlement activities and the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures, which Mr. Mladenov briefed us about today, undermine the viability of a two-State solution. Japan once again urges Israel to cease those activities. We are also deeply concerned about the continued violence in both Gaza and the West Bank.”
2019-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8648 (2019) · source
“Meanwhile, Japan expresses its deep concern about, and strong condemnation of, the continuing terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, which are and aimed at disrupting the peace efforts and electoral preparations. We stress that the only way to end the conflict in Afghanistan is by a peaceful settlement achieved through dialogue. Japan remains committed to supporting a self-reliant and stable Afghanistan. We are steadily implementing the $96 million in assistance that we committed to in March, and, later this year, we intend to provide further support to Afghanistan in its efforts in education, in particular its efforts to increase the adult literacy rate.”
2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source
“With the presidential elections coming up at the end of this month, Japan welcomes the news that relevant preparations are on track, including the full voter-registration process that took place in Ghazni province, where the 2018 parliamentary elections were not held owing to political tensions and insecurity. It is important that the people of Afghanistan be able to cast their vote and decide their own future. UNAMA plays a critical role in the electoral process, and Japan commends and supports the efforts made by Mr. Yamamoto and his team. The participation ofAfghan women is fundamental in both the peace and electoral processes. Japan welcomes the recent visit to Afghanistan by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and lauds her clear focus on women,peace and security.”
2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source
“We also commend the dedication of Afghanistan's international partners to that end, including Germany and Qatar, for their efforts in bringing to fruition the intra-Afghan peace dialogue in July; United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad for his negotiations with the Taliban; and the United States, Russia, China and Pakistan for convening the four-party meeting on the Afghan peace process, held in Beijing on 10 and 11 July. Japan hopes that those endeavours will eventually lead to an Afghan- led and Afghan-owned peace process, and we would like to continue our cooperation with international partners to help achieve peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.”
2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening this debate on Afghanistan. I also wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, for his informative briefing and his tireless efforts, as well as those of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Let me further express my appreciation to all the briefers for their remarks, as well as to Ambassador Adela Raz of Afghanistan for her valuable input. Achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan is a long-cherished desire not only of the Afghan people but of the whole international community. An Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is crucial, and Japan supports the determination and efforts of the Afghan Government towards its realization.”
2019-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8613 (2019) · source
“We call on other Member States to support its efforts. Children's right to education must be protected even in conflict. Attacks on schools as non-military objectives violate international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to conflict to abide by international humanitarian law and to respect that right. Hospitals are also indispensable for children. We once again urge all parties to conflict to observe resolution 2286 (2016) to protect hospitals in armed conflict. In conclusion, Japan would like to make positive contributions to helping children in armed conflict with a View to ending violence and preventing future conflicts.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Even when child soldiers are returned to their communities, they may face significant barriers to their reintegration into society, including social stigma and economic hardship, which might ultimately lead them back to armed groups. Japan has been working closely with UNICEF in African and other regions not only to support reintegration programmes, but also to provide broader assistance to children in conflict, such as strengthening national and community capacities for the prevention of conflicts and violence affecting children. Japan actively supports the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children, as a path-finding country and a board member. As the first responding donor, Japan contributed $6 million last year to the Partnership's fund to support conflict-affected children in Nigeria and Uganda.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“The international community and the Security Council must pay special attention to the issue of children and armed conflict. Japan supports the Global Coalition for the Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers and became a member of the Group of Friends of Reintegration of Child Soldiers in February. We praise the efforts of UNICEF and civil society to meet the extensive, and sometimes unpredictable, needs on the ground. We expect that the forthcoming study of the expert Advisory Group of the Global Coalition for the Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers will reveal the specific needs and gaps so that donors can respond more effectively.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank Poland for convening this very important open debate early on in its presidency. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, for her hard work and for her briefing, as well as Executive Director Henrietta Fore for her briefing and her and the UNICEF team's hard work. I am especially grateful to Ms. Kamara and Mr. Awan for their powerful briefings, based on their personal experience. Children are vulnerable in conflict, both mentally and physically. In conflict, they are deprived of education. Those children who have suffered are at greater risk of being drawn into conflict and violence again later in life, which in turn undermines sustainable peace and security.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Japan will continue to cooperate hand in hand with the Afghan people, including through such short-term humanitarian assistance. Enhancing regional cooperation between Afghanistan and neighbouring countries is also important. When the Foreign Ministers of Japan and the five Central Asian countries gathered in Dushanbe in May for a ministerial meeting of the Central Asia plus Japan dialogue, Afghanistan also participated as a guest country. Japan will remain committed to the countries of the region, including through supporting the enhancement of border controls. I would like to conclude my statement by emphasizing the important role of UNAMA in achieving peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, and Japan commends and supports the efforts made by Mr. Yamamoto and his team.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“Japan will seek to cooperate with the international community to advance the peace process. The participation of women in the peace process in Afghanistan is fundamental. Japan has been organizing workshops for women in Afghanistan to enhance their response capability towards gender-based violence. We shall continue those efforts. Japan remains committed to supporting a self- reliant and stable Afghanistan. In March, Japan announced new assistance of approximately $96 million to Afghanistan. That has since been disbursed to projects, including efforts to provide assistance to refugees and respond to drought, as well as demining and counter-narcotics initiatives. In addition, in March Japan provided emergency relief goods in response to flood damage.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“Japan commends the efforts of the Afghan Government to achieve peace with the Taliban, including the holding of the consultative peace loya jirga from April to May, as well as the ongoing preparations for the Kabul process meeting. Dialogue among the Afghan people is fundamental to realizing sustainable peace in Afghanistan. Japan hopes that the efforts made by the relevant groups towards peace, including the dialogue between the United States and the Taliban and the trilateral dialogue among the United States, Russia and China, will help lead to a successful intra-Afghan dialogue. Meanwhile, Japan expresses its deep concern about the continuing terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. Japan hopes that positive developments in the peace process will put an end to violence, bring a comprehensive ceasefire and, eventually, lead to lasting peace.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, for his informative briefing and tireless efforts on behalf of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Let me further express my appreciation to Ms. Sima Samar for her briefing, and Ambassador Adela Raz of Afghanistan for her valuable input. Japan welcomes the finalization of the results of the parliamentary elections held last October, as well as the inauguration of the first Afghan Parliament since 2011. With the newly elected Independent Election Commission and based on the lessons learned from the elections, it is very important for the upcoming presidential elections to be credible, so that the results are widely accepted.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“We hope that they will be able to make the best use of the recent improvements of the Council's working methods so that they are well prepared to hit the ground running. From this perspective, we welcome the ongoing discussions in the Council on important issues, including penholdership and subsidiary bodies. Lastly, I would like to point out that working methods are an essential part of Security Council reform, but not the only one. Ultimately, a comprehensive reform of the Council must include an expansion in its membership to reflect current realities through adding more Member States that have the capacity and willingness to take on major responsibilities with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security. Japan will continue to work with all Member States towards this goal.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“It is vital for ensuring the Council's legitimacy by pursuing a decision-making process that is transparent and draws on the wisdom of all 15 members of the Security Council working together. We must also be conscious that the prime objective of upgrading the Council's working methods should be to enhance its capacity to take the best action in the timeliest manner to restore and maintain international peace and security. Every year five non-permanent-member countries are elected to bear indispensable responsibilities. We believe that it is necessary and important to give these new members enough opportunities to prepare in advance and then actively participate in the Council's work from day one. Tomorrow, five members are to be elected to serve on the Security Council from 2020.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“We believe that note 507 (S/2017/507, annex) is a living document and that it should therefore serve as an inspiration for further improvement of working methods rather than something that we merely just follow, as the Permanent Representative of South Africa said earlier this morning, speaking on behalf of the current elected 10 members ofthe Council. We are also ofthe view that reforms to the Council's working methods must balance the dual needs for transparency and effectiveness and for ambition and feasibility. This requires a flexible approach that takes into account many views from both inside and outside the Security Council. We would therefore like to commend the President for organizing today's open debate. Improving the Security Council's working methods is a process that has evolved over time.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“Let me begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Council. I hope that you will find your presidency a useful occasion to reflect the discussions you have led in your capacity as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions in the real working methods or the Council. I would also like to thank Ms. Karin Landgren and Mr. James Cockayne for their very useful briefings this morning. I would especially like to express my appreciation to Ms. Landgren for basing some of her comments on her experience as Special Representative of the Secretary-General. That really added power to her statement. I further thank Mr. Cockayne for focusing in his briefing on a specific issue and through it informed us of the complexities of the discussion that we are undertaking right now.”
2019-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8539 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, let me reiterate Japan's commitment to capacity-building in order to ensure that peacekeepers have the skills that they need to safely carry out their mandates. We will continue to support engineering and medical training through the triangular partnership model, and we are ready to provide mobile training and training-of-trainers courses in the area of engineering. Japan will also continue to facilitate women's participation in United Nations peace operations through training. We co-hosted, with the Department of Peace Operations, the first ever capacity-building training for women's protection advisers in Tokyo last December. We will continue to pursue that goal, including through dispatching female trainers to capacity-building programmes.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“Our second suggestion is to establish an effective mechanism to rapidly scale up critical expertise for a huge number of personnel in a short period of time. We sometimes need to assist tens of thousands ofpersonnel in acquiring standardized skills, in order to enhance their performance and security. Buddy first aid is one such skill. As one of the innovative approaches to achieve such an ambitious goal, the Department of Operational Support has been trying to establish trainer pyramids in the field of medical training. That endeavour has just begun, and further efforts are required to make the trainer-pyramid concept work. For example, TCCs and PCCs should dispatch qualified candidates to training courses. The United Nations and supporting countries have to certify trainees' performances according to strict standards.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“Conducting training through the project has allowed us to effectively address the needs ofTCCs and PCCs and field missions, because such training is organized by the Secretariat, which receives direct feedback from the missions and assessment and advisory Visits. That ensures that personnel learn the specific skills that they need for their mission. Triangular partnerships can be applied to the development of any type of capabilities, from infantry to enablers. They can also be used to address a wide spectrum of training needs, from basic training, to predeployment training, to in-mission training. In fact, the development potential goes beyond training. The triangular partnership model can even serve as a platform to facilitate innovative approaches, such as equipment contribution and co-deployment.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“First, the training and capacity-building needs of troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs) and field missions should be addressed effectively through partnerships. The Secretariat has several channels to identify those needs, including assessment and advisory visits of the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System and in-mission performance evaluations of contingents. In order to conduct training that incorporates those inputs, we will need strong partnerships among TCCs and PCCs, the Secretariat and supporting countries. In 2014, the Secretariat launched an innovative framework to promote such cooperation, called the Triangular Partnership Project.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“I thank Indonesia for convening today's meeting. I also thank the Secretary-General and the two briefers for their insightful briefings. Due to the difficult operational environments and complex challenges that current peace operations are facing, it is imperative to enhance both the performance and the safety and security of peacekeepers. We welcome the steps taken by the United Nations and Member States to address those issues through training and capacity-building. However, further efforts by various stakeholders are necessary. Japan has supported capacity-building for peacekeepers from 45 countries over the past five years. Based on our experience, I would like to make two suggestions that we believe will help to ensure the effective delivery of training.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“As President of the Group of 20 (G-20) this year, Japan will relay the World Assembly for Women discussion to G-20 members at the Osaka summit, at which women's economic empowerment will be one of the topics of discussion. Since the delegation of the Republic of Korea mentioned the issue of comfort women in his statement earlier, I am obliged to address the issue at this meeting. The Government of Japan has been sincerely dealing with that issue for a long period of time. In addition, as a result of considerable diplomatic efforts, Japan and the Republic of Korea reached an agreement in December 2015. With that agreement, both countries confirmed that the issue of comfort women was resolved finally and irreversibly. It is of great importance that the agreement be steadily implemented by both sides.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“In that connection, Japan has supported UN- Women projects in Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and Jordan to promote women's empowerment at the community level through training against violent radicalization and cash-for-work programmes. Those projects encourage women to be confident, active players in protecting their communities from violent extremist influences. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe, Japan hosted the fifth World Assembly for Women last month to create a society in which women shine. The participants discussed women's participation in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery and recognized that all stakeholders, including Government and civil society, should work together to promote that agenda.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“Japan believes that the human security approach, which is people-centred, comprehensive and context-specific and focuses on prevention, is valuable in that context. In that regard, Japan has supported United Nations action projects, including projects that respond to the needs of children born as a result of rape and their mothers in Iraq and that improve access to justice by survivors of sexual violence in Jordan. Thirdly, in order to prevent and deter sexual violence by addressing its root causes, including gender inequality, we need to boost our efforts to promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of women. We must also acknowledge that women are active peacebuilders and safeguards against violent extremism - they are notjust victims of conflict.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“First, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and justice for survivors is key to the prevention and deterrence of future crimes. If perpetrators are not prosecuted or if they still hold power, sexual violence cannot be put to rest, which leads to distrust in the Government. Japan has, since 2014, financially supported the work ofthe Team ofExperts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Somalia and Iraq. The Team of Experts works closely with the Governments of those countries, as well as United Nations missions and country teams, to support investigation and prosecution, legislative reform and capacity-building ofjudicial and security authorities. Secondly, taking a survivor-centred approach is important in responding to sexual violence in conflict.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank the presidency of Germany for convening this meeting and welcome the adoption this morning of resolution 2467 (2019), which we co-sponsored. We cannot tolerate any sexual Violence in conflict. Japan has consistently supported the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. We highly appreciate the efforts taken by Special Representative Patten to seek commitments from relevant Governments and parties through tenacious negotiations to end sexual violence in conflict, which have led to a number of frameworks of cooperation and joint communiques with various Governments and entities. In order to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict, the international community should strengthen its efforts in the following three areas.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“In conclusion, let me mention our ongoing efforts on the women and peace and security agenda. Japan revised its national action plan on women, peace and security in March. In Tokyo in December 2018, Japan co-hosted, with the Department of Peace Operations, the first-ever capacity-building training course for women's protection advisers to address conflict- related sexual violence. The training will make field missions more responsive to the specific needs of local women and girls and more accessible to women in the community. We will continue to implement the women and peace and security agenda and facilitate women's participation at all levels of United Nations peace operations, including by appointing talented female officers to peacekeeping missions and dispatching female trainers to capacity-building programmes.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“A holistic approach is also important, given that increasing women's presence requires time and resources to implement multiple solutions, from changing mindsets to building facilities for accommodation. In April 2017, the Ministry of Defence launched an initiative that aims to address all remaining obstacles hindering women's participation. The second step Member States can take to help implement the strategy is to utilize pre-deployment training targeting female uniformed personnel to help facilitate their deployment. For instance, the women's outreach courses of the United Nations Signals Academy have trained 155 female uniformed personnel and 19 have already been deployed to missions or are to be deployed soon. Japan has provided financial support to those courses, as well as to the female military officers' course held by UN-Women.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“One recent notable achievement has been the lifting of all restrictions on women's postings in the Self-Defence Forces, except in two units where maternal protection is required, based on relevant laws. We have decided to allow women's participation in infantry, reconnaissance, engineering, all types of aviation and even submarine units. That enables talented and motivated female personnel to pursue careers according to their interests. That significant policy change was driven by political leadership. In 2013, at the General Assembly, Prime Minister Abe called for a society where women shine (see A/68/PV.12). Since then, he has urged the Self-Defence Forces to reform themselves and ensure meaningful participation for women.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“The recruitment of talented and motivated women is key to improving the performance of any organization, including United Nations peace operations. Japan welcomes the efforts undertaken by the Secretariat, including the new Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy, to increase uniformed women personnel. Member States can boost such efforts in two ways. First, troop-contributing countries (TCCS) and police-contributing countries (PCCs) can ensure the full and meaningful participation of women in their national military and police, which would greatly help increase the number of uniformed women in United Nations peace operations. After all, how can TCCs and PCCs help United Nations field missions meet the uniformed gender parity strategy targets if they do not meet those targets at home? Here, I would like to share some of Japan's experiences.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“I would like to start by thanking Germany for convening today's meeting and taking up this very important topic. The full and meaningful participation of women in all stages of the peace process has become today an essential part of sustaining peace, including successful peace operations. The Security Council has recognized its importance repeatedly, in resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions. Japan has pursued that goal under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe. The participants in the fifth World Assembly for Women, hosted by Japan last month, reaffirmed the significance of the greater participation of women in peacekeeping missions and host countries, the military, police and justice sectors.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“A strategic and comprehensive approach will allow us to ensure both secured sea lanes and environmentally sustainable economies, while providing prosperity, security and opportunity for generations to come.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Poverty and a lack of opportunity do. Therefore, to uproot criminal networks, the perspective of the individual in their local context needs to be considered. United Nations sustaining peace initiatives, including those by the Peacebuilding Commission, can be leveraged to that end. Such a holistic approach will also help promote a blue economy. In that regard, we are encouraged by recent efforts by some African countries to reduce marine plastic waste, which can help protect fisheries and livelihoods and ensure the sustainable use of marine resources. Let me conclude by underscoring the importance of prevention in maritime security. Transnational organized crime can exacerbate existing problems and set off a vicious cycle, but successful prevention can help start a virtuous one.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Countries need to strengthen their national institutional capacity, while collaborating with their neighbours, regional organizations and the United Nations to build an effective maritime governance system through harmonized legal frameworks and improved information exchange. Japan will continue to play a constructive role. It must also be comprehensive by empowering individuals and communities in addition to ensuring maritime governance. Ultimately, however, we must tackle the overarching cause of maritime insecurity, namely, poverty. Poverty provides a fertile environment for organized crime, and poverty drives desperate people to take desperate measures. What pushes a young person to take extraordinary risks every day to produce illegal kerosene to sell on the black market, or to hijack a tanker and take hostages for ransom?”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Those undertakings have helped secure some of the world's most Vital shipping lanes, and they prove that international cooperation against maritime crime can work. Despite those successes, however, the issue of transnational organized crime at sea remains a concern. That is especially the case in the Gulf of Guinea, which has seen rising piracy and armed robbery in recent years. Mounting an effective response to that threat will require both a strategic and a comprehensive approach. It must be strategic, using multi-layered cooperation at the national, regional and international levels.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Our anti-maritime crime efforts are part of our free and open Indo-Pacific initiative to ensure open sea lanes and enhance connectivity between Asia and Africa. Japan led the way in founding the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, which has successfully reduced piracy in Asia over the past decade. We have also sent Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard to join the multinational effort to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. In addition, we have contributed to capacity- building to tackle maritime crime through the Global Maritime Crime Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President for convening today's important debate and presiding over it. Japan is honoured to speak at the Security Council on this very important topic. I would also like to thank the briefers for their valuable inputs. We have a national holiday in Japan, held in July, called Marine Day, to give thanks for the ocean's blessing. As a country that conducts 99.6 per cent of its international trade volume on maritime transportation, Japan takes the issue of maritime security very seriously. We believe that peaceful seas governed by the rule of law bring prosperity for all. Today, however, many waters of the world face the destructive consequences of transnational organized crime. Japan believes that a free and open maritime order constitutes a cornerstone of international stability and prosperity.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“We believe that such efforts, as supported by global awareness on disaster-risk reduction, can eventually contribute to international peace and security. In that regard, we welcome today's debate. Let me express our continued commitment to contributing to the discussion on these related issues, including at the United Nations, in a positive and constructive manner.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Japan, itself a disaster-prone country, has been committed to mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into the international arena, including guiding the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction as well as through various forms of tangible and intangible assistance made under the Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction. What is most important in this context is for each Government to make disaster risk reduction a policy priority, introduce the disaster risk reduction perspective into all development policies and expand investment in this area. Collective efforts under such policies, including continued discussion, resource mobilization and planning and implementing measures to address emerging risks, can lead to the realization of a resilient society.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Climate risks, including disasters, which can act as a threat multiplier, are increasing in small island developing States and least developed countries, inter alia. Japan itself experienced record torrential rain last July, as Mr. Kabat mentioned in his briefing. Accordingly, the importance of adaptation measures is also increasing. From that perspective, Japan is leading the discussion on climate-change adaptation within the framework of the Group of 20. We have also contributed directly to building societies that are resilient to climate-related risks through continued assistance to developing countries, including through climate-change impact assessments and climate-risk information development.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this debate. I also wish to thank the briefers for their valuable input. Japan, during its presidency ofthe Security Council in December 2017, hosted a discussion (see S/PV.8144) addressing the complex contemporary challenges, including climate change and natural hazards, to international peace and security. As we stated during that discussion, in order for the Security Council to more effectively address complex challenges, the Council needs to increase its focus on the whole conflict cycle, namely, preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence of conflict. At the same time, attention should be paid to the fact that peace and security, development, human rights and humanitarian elements are closely interlinked.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source