The United Nations

   For years, Japan has been working actively towards comprehensive reform of the United Nations. With regard to the reform of the Security Council, although the G4 (Japan, India, Brazil, Germany) draft framework resolution that was submitted to the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 failed to be adopted, momentum for reform became greater than ever before. Through these efforts, the necessity of attaining results of reform as early as possible has gained recognition throughout the United Nations. Japan continues to hold discussions with relevant countries in order to promote reform. Moreover, on December 18, Japan held a commemorative ceremony to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of Japan's admission to the United Nations, and it also contributed to reconfirming the necessity of United Nations' reform.

   In October, following the recommendation of the Security Council, the General Assembly appointed Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea, to succeed Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who had served for ten years during his two terms in office. Japan welcomes the fact that this marked the first time in 35 years that Secretary-General was elected from Asia. And in the time to come, Japan will be working in close cooperation with new Secretary-General Ban to advance various efforts at the United Nations.