After World War II, Japan joined the United Nations with high hopes and ideals. Now, however, disappointment is spreading over the UN’s dysfunction. Professor Motoyoshi YOSHIKAWA, former ambassador to the United Nations, urges Japan to use the United Nations for national interests instead of idealizing it.

For more details, please refer to the article in Gakushikai Bulletin No. 9 (2024-II) by clicking here. (22/4/2024)

A former UN Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Bill Paton, asserts that the war in Gaza lays bare, once again, the frightful arbitrariness of international justice. International rule of law has always been about rule by great powers. If we want a more just and peaceful world, developing countries – constituting the global majority – must stand up and demand one law for all.

Please click here for his full paper. (21/4/202)

In response to Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa`s question, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield to the United Nations said in a lecture at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo that the United States was genuinely interested in expanding the membership of the UN Security Council, including Japan, Germany, and India as permanent members, along with countries from Africa and Latin America. (18/4/2024)

Ms. Akiko Noda explained that UNDP has always been engaged in field-based projects before, during, and after conflicts, as well as before and after natural disasters, listening to and consulting with people, governments, and civil society on their concerns, and working together to create solutions for further development.

For more information click here (5/4/2024)

On 3 April 2024, the Kyoto Peacebuilding Center (KPC), the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ), and ACUNS Tokyo Liaison Office (ACUNS-Tokyo) organized a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla Schwarz of Kosovo, who was visiting Tokyo, to explain the situation in Kosovo. She recognized the importance of making reconciliation efforts but saw continued security threats from Serbia. Ambassador Ilidio Ximenes da Costa from Timor-Leste explained how the Timorese national leaders saw a similar situation differently and achieved reconciliation and friendship between Timor-Leste and Indonesia by following the Nelson Mandela approach of putting truth before justice. (3/4/2024) You can see details here.

Amy E. Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), explained IOM’s latest activities at a discussion meeting with members of the National Diet of Japan from both the ruling and opposition political parties, organized by the Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation. The participating Diet members asked for an explanation of the differences between the roles of IOM and UNHCR. They also pointed out the challenges in accepting more foreigners in Japan. For more information on what was discussed at this meeting, please click here. (27/2/2024)

Dr. Arbenita Sopaj, a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ) the Special Assistant to the Ambassador of Kosovo and Mr. Keitoku Ikegami, a member of the GPAJ, acted as Masters of the Ceremony of the Independence Day and 15 th year of Diplomatic Relations Kosovo- Japan celebration hosted by the Embassy of Kosovo in Japan. Ambassador Dr. Sabri Kiçmari of the Republic of Kosovo spoke to the diplomats and officials of the Japanese government who participated in the Independence Day reception held at Hotel Okura in Tokyo on February 20, 2024. (20/2/2024)

Thank you to Professor Takaaki Mizuno for inviting me to his final lecture at Kanda University of Foreign Studies. It was the most rewarding opportunity to talk with his students on this special day. I was impressed that his students were learning in-depth about contemporary international peace and development issues. The video that showed students’ discussions on behalf of the countries involved regarding conflicts occurring around the world was insightful and remarkable. (22/1/2024)

Professor HASEGAWA Sukehiro spoke to the employees of the Sunny Health Corporation about the prospect for the United Nations to play like the Government of World Federation in global governance.

Father Toshiaki Koso, Pastor of St. Ignatius Church, made opening remarks at the memorial ceremony and symposium for the International Day of Peace adopted by the UN General Assembly, which were held on 21 September 2023 at the St. Ignatius Church and Sophia University, Tokyo.

In his opening speech to the online meeting of former UN Special Representatives and Ambassadors to the United Nations, Professor Tshilidzi MARWALA, Rector of the UN University, warned about “the weaponization of new and emerging technologies.” MARWALA also pointed out that the rapid “developments in artificial intelligence and quantum technology-related weapons systems are exposing the insufficiency of existing global governance frameworks.” In concluding his opening remarks, MARWALA echoed the call made by Secretary-General António Guterres “to explore, formulate, and present to the UN and its member states to take concrete actions to prevent the weaponization of emerging technologies and promote their responsible application.” Please click here for the full text of his opening remarks.

There will be an online discussion on Saturday, 19 August 2023, from 21:00 Tokyo time. If you are interested in participating in this event, please register by sending an email to Dr. Arbenita Sopaj`s email address: arbenitasopaj@gmail.com. Please click here for the draft details.

Professor Misako Takizawa invited Mr. Ken Inoue and me to visit the residence of the late Jiro Shirasu, who assisted Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida in dealing with General Douglas MacArthur. He is remembered in Japan for an incident in Christmas 1945 when he delivered a present from Hirohito, Emperor of Japan, to General Douglas MacArthur. When MacArthur told him to place it on the floor, Shirasu demanded a table to show respect.

Chair of the Global Governance Forum based in Geneva and Madrid visited the National Diet of Japan on 16 May 2023 and met with Mr. ETO Seishiro and other members of the Parliamentary Committee of the National Diet of Japan for World Federalism. Please click here for a summary report of the discussion.

Mr. Noguchi underlined the significance of the fact that Khmer Rouge crimes committed more than 40 years ago was finally punished, and justice was brought about, even partially. Of course, because there is no statute of limitations on war crimes or crimes against humanity, that should have a huge impact on the ongoing situation in Ukraine where countless war crimes are committed. It has become clear by the operation of this Cambodian tribunal that it is very difficult to escape the long reach of justice even after several decades. These are unfortunately useful lessons learned in this particular context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Please click here for the video recording of the online seminar on Japan`s international peace cooperation, which was held on Saturday, 28 January 2023 Japan standard time.

Dr. Ponzio explained the significance of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Our Common Agenda (OCA) report issued in 2021. He identified major goals for addressing global governance challenges, notably conflict prevention and management for building peace, COVID-19, representation, and human rights promotion, climate action and governing the global commons, promoting a collaborative economy and global public goods, and confronting the implications from rapid development of AI technology. Please view the video recording.

Tokyo Peacebuilding Forum 2022 held on 6 November 2022: Keynote Speaker: Professor Tshilidzi MARWALA, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Johannesburg and United Nations University Rector-Designate spoke about technology and interstate conflict. Please view the video recording.

The second session of the Tokyo Peacebuilding Forum 2022 was held to make a “Critical assessment of Japan’s policy on refugees and migrants”. Mr. Ken Inoue, Vice President of GPAJ, moderated the session, and Mr. Akio Nakayama, former Country Director, IOM Myanmar, and Ms. Khadiza Begum, Area coordinator of “Online learning support for Rohingya children in Tatebayashi City”. Please read more in detail.

The Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan with the support of the ACUNS Tokyo Liaison Office and the Kyoto Peacebuilding Center will hold the Tokyo Peacebuilding Forum 2022 on 5 November 2022. Please click here and ascertain the final version of the program and the location of the JICA conference hall in Ichigaya, Tokyo.