Japan Made Strong Remarks About North Korea and Russia at the UN
Japan called for all states that directly or indirectly support Russian aggression against Ukraine to be held accountable. Separately, Tokyo criticized the participation of North Korean military personnel in the war and called the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea a violation of international law.
Japan called for holding not only Russia accountable, but also other countries that are assisting Moscow in the war against Ukraine. Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Japan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, made this statement on September 1 during the general debate of the UN General Assembly. His remarks focused on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
The diplomat stated that any support for Russian aggression, even indirect, must be appropriately assessed. “Any actions that directly or indirectly support Russia’s aggression are in themselves a violation of international law, and all states involved in such aggression must be held accountable,” Yamazaki said.
Japan made a separate mention of North Korea
The Japanese representative paid particular attention to North Korea. He stated that Tokyo is deeply concerned about the continued participation of North Korean military personnel in hostilities against Ukraine. According to the diplomat, the presence of DPRK military personnel fighting on Russia’s side constitutes a violation of international law, specifically the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions. “Japan is deeply concerned about the continued deployment of North Korean military personnel in hostilities against Ukraine, which is a clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions,” he said.
Yamazaki also said that military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang poses a problem not only for Ukraine or Europe. “Such illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea undermines peace and security in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region, and beyond,” the Japanese representative emphasized.
His statement came amid deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea. Moscow receives military support from Pyongyang, and North Korean servicemen, according to Ukraine and its partners, have participated in combat operations on Russia’s side.
Japan called Russia’s war a violation of international law
Speaking about the Russian aggression itself, the Japanese diplomat called it a gross violation of international norms. He stated that Russia’s attack on Ukraine contradicts the UN Charter and undermines the international order, in which states are supposed to resolve disputes in accordance with the law, not by force.
Yamazaki also expressed support for countries working to end the war. At the same time, Japan emphasized that any peace agreements must take into account the position of the Ukrainians themselves. “Japan reiterates that support for Ukraine should continue in a manner that fully respects the will of the Ukrainian people regarding the future of their country,” the diplomat said.
According to him, partner countries must work together to quickly end hostilities and achieve a just and lasting peace. Japan also called for involving the United States in diplomatic efforts aimed at getting Russia to agree to concrete steps to end the war.
Tokyo will continue to assist Ukraine
Japan stated that it has no plans to change its policy of supporting Ukraine. According to Yamazaki, Tokyo will continue to provide aid to Kyiv and support sanctions against Russia alongside other members of the international community. “Japan will never waver in its consistent stance of support for the people of Ukraine,” the country’s representative said.
Separately, Japan plans to continue assisting with Ukraine’s reconstruction. This includes, in particular, public-private partnership projects. Such programs are intended to help rebuild damaged infrastructure and support the Ukrainian economy in the wake of Russian attacks. The Japanese side believes that reconstruction assistance should not only compensate for the consequences of the war but also strengthen Ukraine’s resilience in the future.
Japan called for maintaining pressure on Russia
Thus, during its address to the UN, Japan emphasized several issues at once. Tokyo called for holding accountable those states that support Russian aggression, separately condemned military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, and reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine. Japan also advocates for an end to hostilities as soon as possible, but stresses that peace must be just and in accordance with international law.
At the same time, Tokyo plans to continue applying sanctions pressure on Russia, providing assistance to Ukraine, and participating in its future reconstruction. Japan emphasizes that the end of the war must not mean abandoning the principles of international law or setting a precedent whereby aggression and support for the aggressor go unpunished. Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Japan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, made this statement on September 1 during the general debate at the UN General Assembly on “The Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine.”
Austria is ready to host negotiations in Vienna on ending the war in Ukraine and broader issues of European security. The country’s authorities also called for a complete and unconditional ceasefire and emphasized that future peace must be based on international law.
