Japan's position on China's statement against Japan
2025/11/24
24 November 2025
H.E. Mr. António Guterres
Secretary-General of the United Nations
New York,
Excellency,
I note that the Permanent Representative of China recently sent a letter regarding Japan, addressed to your Excellency, which was subsequently circulated to the Permanent Missions of all United Nations Member States. The assertions made by China in the letter appear to be inconsistent with the facts and unsubstantiated, prompting me to respectfully submit the present letter in response based on the instruction from the Japanese Government.
As you are well aware, Japan has consistently contributed to the peace and prosperity of the international community since the end of the Second World War. Japan has always respected and adhered to international law, including the UN Charter, and has actively contributed to maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order underpinned by the rule of law in the global community.
Regrettably, in the contemporary world, certain countries have been engaged in the prolonged expansion of military capabilities in a non-transparent manner. Additionally, there are nations that continue to attempt unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion, despite opposition from neighboring countries.
Japan opposes such moves and distances itself from them. Japan's fundamental defense policy is the posture of passive defense strategy, which is exclusively defense-oriented, contrary to the Chinese side’s claims. Japan also defines, through domestic law, situations in which the right of collective self-defense recognized under the UN Charter can be exercised, in a restrictive manner. The remarks by the Prime Minister of Japan TAKAICHI Sanae, as referred by the Chinese side, are also grounded in this position. Therefore, China's assertion that Japan would exercise the right of self-defense even in the absence of an armed attack is erroneous.
Japan's basic position on Taiwan is as articulated in the "Japan-China Joint Communiqué" of 1972. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are extremely important not only for Japan but also for the stability of the entire international community. We reiterate our consistent position of expecting that issues concerning Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
Recently, China has been stifling bilateral people-to people and economic exchanges, including the trade in fishery products that are originally unrelated to this matter, showing a negative attitude towards political-level dialogue with Japan. Such an approach of imposing coercive measures against other countries' statements and policies that do not align with its own intentions is something the international community should oppose. Japan believes that the presence of pending issues and challenges necessitates all the more efforts to reduce them and enhance understanding and cooperation, and we will continue to respond calmly through dialogue.
Japan has actively engaged in addressing the complex challenges of the international community, including those in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, including those addressed at the United Nations. As a responsible member of the United Nations, Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to contribute to international peace, stability, and prosperity, while adhering to international law.
We kindly request that the present letter, which explains the position of the Japanese Government in response to the letter mentioned above from the Permanent Representative of China, be circulated accordingly as an official document of the General Assembly under agenda item 120, "Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations".
Secretary-General of the United Nations
New York,
Excellency,
I note that the Permanent Representative of China recently sent a letter regarding Japan, addressed to your Excellency, which was subsequently circulated to the Permanent Missions of all United Nations Member States. The assertions made by China in the letter appear to be inconsistent with the facts and unsubstantiated, prompting me to respectfully submit the present letter in response based on the instruction from the Japanese Government.
As you are well aware, Japan has consistently contributed to the peace and prosperity of the international community since the end of the Second World War. Japan has always respected and adhered to international law, including the UN Charter, and has actively contributed to maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order underpinned by the rule of law in the global community.
Regrettably, in the contemporary world, certain countries have been engaged in the prolonged expansion of military capabilities in a non-transparent manner. Additionally, there are nations that continue to attempt unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion, despite opposition from neighboring countries.
Japan opposes such moves and distances itself from them. Japan's fundamental defense policy is the posture of passive defense strategy, which is exclusively defense-oriented, contrary to the Chinese side’s claims. Japan also defines, through domestic law, situations in which the right of collective self-defense recognized under the UN Charter can be exercised, in a restrictive manner. The remarks by the Prime Minister of Japan TAKAICHI Sanae, as referred by the Chinese side, are also grounded in this position. Therefore, China's assertion that Japan would exercise the right of self-defense even in the absence of an armed attack is erroneous.
Japan's basic position on Taiwan is as articulated in the "Japan-China Joint Communiqué" of 1972. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are extremely important not only for Japan but also for the stability of the entire international community. We reiterate our consistent position of expecting that issues concerning Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
Recently, China has been stifling bilateral people-to people and economic exchanges, including the trade in fishery products that are originally unrelated to this matter, showing a negative attitude towards political-level dialogue with Japan. Such an approach of imposing coercive measures against other countries' statements and policies that do not align with its own intentions is something the international community should oppose. Japan believes that the presence of pending issues and challenges necessitates all the more efforts to reduce them and enhance understanding and cooperation, and we will continue to respond calmly through dialogue.
Japan has actively engaged in addressing the complex challenges of the international community, including those in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, including those addressed at the United Nations. As a responsible member of the United Nations, Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to contribute to international peace, stability, and prosperity, while adhering to international law.
We kindly request that the present letter, which explains the position of the Japanese Government in response to the letter mentioned above from the Permanent Representative of China, be circulated accordingly as an official document of the General Assembly under agenda item 120, "Implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations".
| Sincerely yours, YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations |
cc. H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock
President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly