第81回国連総会本会議「国際司法裁判所（ICJ）報告書」（議題72）における梅津大使ステートメント
令和8年11月5日
(As delivered)
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
I would first like to extend my sincere appreciation to President Iwasawa of the International Court of Justice for his dedicated leadership and the informative report on the Court’s activities over the past year. Japan commends the Members of the Court and the Registry for their valuable contributions to the effective and efficient functioning of the Court.
Mr. President,
This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the ICJ. The ICJ’s role in promoting the rule of law has become increasingly important, and the number of cases brought before the Court clearly reflect the high expectation and strong confidence that States place in its capacity to resolve disputes peacefully based on international law. This is further evidenced by the unprecedented number of States participating in recent ICJ proceedings.
Japan is convinced that, through its balanced and objective approach, interpreting treaties and identifying customary international law based on robust evidence and authoritative sources, the Court can continue to gain enduring trust from the international community.
Member States, on our part, should make efforts to understand the Court’s opinions as accurately as possible so that tireless efforts made by the Court contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding among States rather than deepening political divide.
Mr. President,
Japan believes that, in the past 80 years, the international community has made some progress in strengthening the international order based on the rule of law. However, there have been ups and downs.
There has always been tension between the aspiration towards the rule of law and temptation to change status quo by force. However, we believe that the majority of States have continued to advocate the rule of law, despite all the difficulties they have faced in their relations with other States. The 80th Anniversary of the ICJ is a good opportunity for Member States to reaffirm their commitment to international law.
In this regard, the best way to demonstrate commitment to international law is to accept the Court’s jurisdiction through a declaration under Article 36, paragraph 2 of its Statute. 80 years ago, in 1955, there were 33 declarations in force, representing just over 40% of the 80 parties to the Statute. By 1979, 45 States had Optional Clause declarations in force out of 155 parties to the Statute, which was 29%, down from 40 percent in 1955. Currently, 75 out of 193 Member States accepting the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court, which is 39% and up from 29% in 1979. Japan encourages more Member States to take this crucial step to show their commitment to peaceful settlement of dispute based on international law.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, I reiterate Japan’s steadfast support for the role of the Court as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Japan remains deeply committed to promoting the rule of law among nations as the fundamental cornerstone of international peace and security.
I thank you, Mr. President.
Distinguished Delegates,
I would first like to extend my sincere appreciation to President Iwasawa of the International Court of Justice for his dedicated leadership and the informative report on the Court’s activities over the past year. Japan commends the Members of the Court and the Registry for their valuable contributions to the effective and efficient functioning of the Court.
Mr. President,
This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the ICJ. The ICJ’s role in promoting the rule of law has become increasingly important, and the number of cases brought before the Court clearly reflect the high expectation and strong confidence that States place in its capacity to resolve disputes peacefully based on international law. This is further evidenced by the unprecedented number of States participating in recent ICJ proceedings.
Japan is convinced that, through its balanced and objective approach, interpreting treaties and identifying customary international law based on robust evidence and authoritative sources, the Court can continue to gain enduring trust from the international community.
Member States, on our part, should make efforts to understand the Court’s opinions as accurately as possible so that tireless efforts made by the Court contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding among States rather than deepening political divide.
Mr. President,
Japan believes that, in the past 80 years, the international community has made some progress in strengthening the international order based on the rule of law. However, there have been ups and downs.
There has always been tension between the aspiration towards the rule of law and temptation to change status quo by force. However, we believe that the majority of States have continued to advocate the rule of law, despite all the difficulties they have faced in their relations with other States. The 80th Anniversary of the ICJ is a good opportunity for Member States to reaffirm their commitment to international law.
In this regard, the best way to demonstrate commitment to international law is to accept the Court’s jurisdiction through a declaration under Article 36, paragraph 2 of its Statute. 80 years ago, in 1955, there were 33 declarations in force, representing just over 40% of the 80 parties to the Statute. By 1979, 45 States had Optional Clause declarations in force out of 155 parties to the Statute, which was 29%, down from 40 percent in 1955. Currently, 75 out of 193 Member States accepting the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court, which is 39% and up from 29% in 1979. Japan encourages more Member States to take this crucial step to show their commitment to peaceful settlement of dispute based on international law.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, I reiterate Japan’s steadfast support for the role of the Court as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Japan remains deeply committed to promoting the rule of law among nations as the fundamental cornerstone of international peace and security.
I thank you, Mr. President.