Statement by Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on Japan's Election as Non-permanent Member in the 2004 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Election of Five Non-permanent Members

October 16, 2004
Japanese

Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, issued today the following statement on the news that Japan had been elected to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

At the election of five non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly held in the morning of October 15 (Japan time: October 15 midnight), Japan was elected to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term beginning on January 1, 2005.
Japan, which regards it important to play a proactive and constructive role in the council for the maintenance of international peace and security, had announced its candidacy for the election of non-permanent members of UNSC. Japan considers that the ballot results show the support and expectations of the international community based on Japan's achievements and attitudes over the years.
The international community in the 21st century is faced with new threats such as proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and infectious diseases. To effectively address these issues by mobilizing all available resources, it is a matter of urgency to reform the UNSC. The UNSC, which basically has maintained the composition of its membership for 60 years, should reflect the reality of the international community in the 21st century.
Today, the UN reform is gathering momentum toward next year's celebration of its 60th anniversary. Japan will actively perform its role as a non-permanent member of the UNSC appropriate for a leading candidate for permanent member, and further enhance its international credibility, thereby achieving the reform of the UNSC and becoming a permanent member of the UNSC.

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