Press Releases
Courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs KUNIMITSU by UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs
February 25, 2026
On February 25, commencing at 10:50 a.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Dr. KUNIMITSU Ayano, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call from Ms. Elinor Jane Britt Hammarskjold, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, the United Nations. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, State Minister KUNIMITSU stated that precisely because the international community is becoming increasingly divided and confrontational now, it is extremely important to maintain and strengthen the rule of law. State Minister KUNIMITSU then referred to the UN which has been playing a unique and indispensable role in upholding the rule of law and developing international law for the past 80 years since the end of World War II, and introduced Japan’s efforts in this regard.
- In response, Under Secretary General HAMMARSKJOLD expressed appreciation to Japan’s support and contributions to the activities of the UN.
- Both sides exchanged views on the recent situation surrounding the UN, and agreed to continue cooperating to maintain and strengthen the rule of law in the international community.