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STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR SHINICHI KITAOKA
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN
ON AGENDA ITEM 74:
REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

27 OCTOBER 2005
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mr. President,

It is my great pleasure and honor, on behalf of the Government of Japan, to address this eminent Assembly under the Presidency of H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson. My delegation would like to thank President Shi Jiuyong for his in-depth report on the current work of the International Court of Justice. We also express our gratitude and support for the considerable achievement in the work of the ICJ in the past year.

Mr. President,

In the present international community, where we continue to witness armed conflicts and acts of terrorism, the reinforcement of law and order is truly indispensable. Indeed, there has been an increasing awareness among nations that international society must embrace the value and the goal of establishing and maintaining the primacy of international law. In this regard, the role of the International Court of Justice, the world's most authoritative international court, cannot be overstated.

As a state resolutely devoted to peace and firmly dedicated to respect for international law, Japan appreciates the strenuous efforts and work of the Court. We believe that the ICJ is required to display not only a profound knowledge of international law but also an insightful view on the international community, given the fact that the international community is going through rapid changes and that international disputes of all kinds are constantly arising. Japan appreciates the Court's capacity to meet these requirements and continues to fully support its work.

We must take note of this year's remarkable accomplishments of the Court, which has reduced the number of cases in the docket from 21 to 12. Considering the serious and much-discussed backlog of cases at the Court in the past, the recent level of achievement in processing the cases at hand is worthy of admiration. We expect that the Court will continue to maintain the current pace of its work without compromising its quality and to contribute to the further strengthening of the rule of law in today's international community.

In concluding, I would like to reaffirm the great importance that we attach to the lofty cause and work of the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Japan will maintain its firm support of the invaluable work of the ICJ.

Thank you.

Related Information (United Nations)
Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Official Web Site