Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Japan strongly welcomes the resolution calling for peace in Ukraine, which was adopted by a majority vote with the support of 141 countries at the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). An overwhelming majority of UN member states called for Russia to immediately stop its invasion of Ukraine and expressed strong support for Ukraine. 

Peace does not mean simply halting hostilities. It must be comprehensive, just, and lasting based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, such as sovereignty and territorial integrity. The precondition of this is the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. 

At the same time, international cooperation is necessary to deal with the impact of Russian invasion on food, energy supply, and other areas around the world. 

The resolution clearly sends the message on this point. Japan joined the co-sponsoring countries of Ukraine and many others, and I myself urged many countries, including the Global South, to support the resolution. Today, I called upon various countries, including Ghana, Slovakia, Guatemala, and Pacific Island countries, as much as possible. 

Tomorrow, I will attend the UN Security Council (UNSC) Ministerial Debate. Unfortunately, the invasion by Russia, a permanent member of the UNSC, has not ended. I will again state Japan’s basic position and express strong determination to protect the international order based on the rule of law.