Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi returned from New York on the 24th after attending her first United Nations General Assembly meeting since taking office. The challenge for future diplomacy will be to rebuild Japan-China relations, which remain in a difficult situation. The prime minister hopes to find ways to improve the situation through an international conference to be held in China in November. However, China has objected to the prime minister's appeal for the early deletion of the ``former enemy clause'' in the United Nations Charter, and there is a possibility that this could become a new source of fire.
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"The former enemy clause should be removed as soon as possible." The prime minister emphasized this in his general debate speech at the United Nations General Assembly on the 22nd. ``I would like to strongly state this to you, out of respect for the pride and honor of Japan, which has made significant contributions to the United Nations over the past 70 years,'' he said.
The Former Enemy Clause stipulates that military action can be taken against Japan, Germany, Italy, and other ``enemies'' of World War II without permission from the Security Council. In 2005, member countries including China agreed to remove the ban, but this has yet to happen. According to government officials, the prime minister seemed to be particular about adding his own notes to the speech.
In response, Guo Jiakun, deputy press secretary of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded at a press conference on the 23rd, saying, ``This is an important institutional framework to prevent fascism and militarism from threatening peace and security again.It still has important practical significance today.''
A senior official at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that ``China also supported the deletion of the clause,'' and defended the prime minister by saying, ``He should just state boldly that he is saying something different from the resolution.'' A former cabinet member of the Liberal Democratic Party, which emphasizes Japan-China relations, complained, ``What's the point in providing fodder for a fight?''
Meanwhile, at a press conference on the 17th, the Prime Minister stated, ``We will respond calmly and appropriately from the perspective of the national interest'' regarding the possibility of meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an upcoming international conference. Towards the end of the year, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Group of 20 countries and regions (G20) will all hold summit meetings.
In particular, Mr. Xi will chair APEC, which will be held in Shenzhen, China, in November. Although many within the Japanese government believe that it would be difficult to hold a summit meeting under the current circumstances, some say that since they are the hosts, they should shake hands. The Prime Minister's ability will continue to be tested as to whether he can use this as an opportunity to improve relations.
