Statement by Ms. ISHIBASHI Misaki, Advisor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the Meeting of the Sixth Committee on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels (Agenda Item 86)
2020/10/20
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to the Deputy Secretary-General for her briefing on the United Nations’ rule of law activities.
The significance of the rule of law cannot be overstated. It is an essential foundation of an international order that enables each nation to establish friendly and equitable relations with other nations and settle international disputes peacefully, while ensuring a fair and just society domestically. Challenges to the rule of law in times of increasing uncertainty must not be allowed.
Mr. Chairperson,
Strengthening the rule of law has long been a pillar of Japan’s foreign policy. Japan has contributed to reinforcing the functioning of international judicial organizations, notably the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), through the provision of both human and financial resources. Thanks to overwhelming support from the Member States, judges from Japan have had the privilege of devoting themselves to the work of all three of these international judicial bodies, among others. Japan has also been a major financial contributor to the ICJ, the ITLOS, the ICC, and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
Japan emphasizes the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and of the peaceful resolution of international maritime disputes. Japan has taken a leadership role in promoting the rule of law in the marine field. For instance, at the G7 Charlevoix Summit and at the ASEAN-related
Summit Meetings in 2019, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the maritime order in accordance with the principles of international law as reflected in UNCLOS.
Mr. Chairperson,
Japan believes in accountability for serious international crimes. We have been a strong supporter of the ICC since its inception, and we will continue to support the ICC in its fight to end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
The rule of law is also indispensable in the field of anti-corruption. Japan has effectively implemented anti-corruption measures including through applying relevant aspects of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Japan co-chaired the G20 Anti- Corruption Working Group in 2019 and led the process of adoption of two deliverables at the G20 Osaka Summit, namely the “G20 High-Level Principles for the Effective Protection of Whistleblowers” and the “G20 Compendium of Good Practices for Promoting Integrity and Transparency in Infrastructure Development”. Japan will remain committed to preventing and combatting corruption, and promoting the rule of law.
Mr. Chairperson,
In closing, Japan reiterates its strong commitment to protecting and promoting the rule of law. We greatly appreciate the role of the United Nations in universalizing the rule of law. The General Assembly and the International Law Commission (ILC) play a vital role in the progressive development and codification of international law. Japan looks forward to further cooperating with the United Nations and its Member States.
I thank you.
I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to the Deputy Secretary-General for her briefing on the United Nations’ rule of law activities.
The significance of the rule of law cannot be overstated. It is an essential foundation of an international order that enables each nation to establish friendly and equitable relations with other nations and settle international disputes peacefully, while ensuring a fair and just society domestically. Challenges to the rule of law in times of increasing uncertainty must not be allowed.
Mr. Chairperson,
Strengthening the rule of law has long been a pillar of Japan’s foreign policy. Japan has contributed to reinforcing the functioning of international judicial organizations, notably the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), through the provision of both human and financial resources. Thanks to overwhelming support from the Member States, judges from Japan have had the privilege of devoting themselves to the work of all three of these international judicial bodies, among others. Japan has also been a major financial contributor to the ICJ, the ITLOS, the ICC, and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
Japan emphasizes the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and of the peaceful resolution of international maritime disputes. Japan has taken a leadership role in promoting the rule of law in the marine field. For instance, at the G7 Charlevoix Summit and at the ASEAN-related
Summit Meetings in 2019, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the maritime order in accordance with the principles of international law as reflected in UNCLOS.
Mr. Chairperson,
Japan believes in accountability for serious international crimes. We have been a strong supporter of the ICC since its inception, and we will continue to support the ICC in its fight to end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
The rule of law is also indispensable in the field of anti-corruption. Japan has effectively implemented anti-corruption measures including through applying relevant aspects of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Japan co-chaired the G20 Anti- Corruption Working Group in 2019 and led the process of adoption of two deliverables at the G20 Osaka Summit, namely the “G20 High-Level Principles for the Effective Protection of Whistleblowers” and the “G20 Compendium of Good Practices for Promoting Integrity and Transparency in Infrastructure Development”. Japan will remain committed to preventing and combatting corruption, and promoting the rule of law.
Mr. Chairperson,
In closing, Japan reiterates its strong commitment to protecting and promoting the rule of law. We greatly appreciate the role of the United Nations in universalizing the rule of law. The General Assembly and the International Law Commission (ILC) play a vital role in the progressive development and codification of international law. Japan looks forward to further cooperating with the United Nations and its Member States.
I thank you.