Japan and the United Nations
Courtesy Call on Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary SATO Kei by H.E. Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform (IGN)
March 12, 2026
On March 12, commencing at 14:05 pm for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. SATO Kei, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, received a courtesy call by H.E. Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform (IGN). The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset of the meeting, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary SATO welcomed Ambassador Gregoire-van Haaren on her first visit to Japan and stated that the Government of Japan is earnestly working to strengthen the functions of the United Nations. He expressed Japan's desire to work closely with the Co-Chairs of the IGN so that the UN Security Council truly reflects the realities of the current international community, noting that reform of the Security Council, which bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, lies at the core of strengthening the overall functions of the United Nations, and would have an impact on the international order.
- Ambassador Gregoire-van Haaren stated that she would further strengthen cooperation on various issues in the international arena including Security Council reform.
- Both sides concurred on the importance of achieving concrete progress towards Security Council reform and further cooperation.
- In addition, both sides exchanged views on the importance of the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary SATO asked for understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.