Press Releases

1. On June 9 (local time), Japan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the elections of the UN General Assembly and will serve a two-year term in the UNSC starting from January 1, 2023. Japan will assume membership in the UNSC for the 12th time since joining the UN in 1956, which is more than any other UN Member State.
2. The UNSC bears primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, on which Japan places great importance. However, this can be said to be a time of trial whereby the UNSC is currently not able to function effectively in the face of the aggression against Ukraine by Russia, which is a permanent member of the UNSC, nor against the nuclear and missile activities of North Korea, which repeatedly violates UNSC resolutions and threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community.
3. Meanwhile, the world continues to face many conflicts and various challenges. Many countries expect the United Nations and the UNSC to play a role in areas such as conflict prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as peacekeeping and building peace.
   　Japan will aim to maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law, while cooperating in order for the UNSC to fulfill its expected role, through close communication and careful dialogue with other Member States.
4. Furthermore, Japan will continue to actively engage in UNSC reform and lead discussions in the UN, as well as to strive to strengthen the functions of the UN as a whole, including the General Assembly.
5. Japan will cooperate and coordinate closely with other Member States during its term as a member of the UNSC, with the determination to firmly protect universal values and lead the international community.

[Reference 1] Overview of election results

1. Asia and the Pacific Group [1 seat up for election]
   Japan (184 votes) elected.
2. African Group [1 seat up for election]
   Mozambique (192 votes) elected.
3. Latin American and Caribbean Group [1 seat up for election]
   Ecuador (190 votes) elected.
4. Western European and Others Group [2 seats up for election]
   Switzerland (187 votes) and Malta (185 votes) elected.

[Reference 2] Structure of the UNSC

1. Permanent Members: China, France, Russia, UK, US
2. Non-permanent Members

• 2021-22 term: India, Kenya, Mexico, Ireland, Norway
• 2022-23 term: UAE, Ghana, Gabon, Brazil, Albania
• 2023-24 term (current election): Japan, Mozambique, Ecuador, Malta, Switzerland