Japan Deserves Seat on U.N. Security Council, Official Says

In order to continue its participation in peacekeeping efforts, Japan should receive a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, Japan's permanent representative to the United Nations said last night.

Addressing a crowd of about 150 at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Ambassador Yoshio Hatano also said that economic costs must be weighed before embarking on future peacekeeping missions.

Hatano said most countries want Japan to have a permanent role on the Security Council. "There is unanimous consensus that Japan should become a permanent member of the Security Council," Hatano said.

"When all other countries want Japan to be a permanent member, then and only then can Japan be an effective member of the Security Council," Hatano said.

Hatano said Japan has financed 20 percent of all U.N. missions for the past two years, but Japan has not had a voice in deciding whether to implement these proposals.

"Japan realizes that it will participate in more efforts of the U.N.," said the ambassador, "but the Japanese people believe their country is not being accorded due recognition--no taxation without representation."

Hatano said that while global geopolitical conditions have changed over the last 48 years, the Security Council membership has not, and that this is a source of frustration for the Japanese.

Hatano also proposed a framework for future peace-keeping missions.

"There are three areas where peace-keeping should be strengthened: preventative diplomacy, expanded peace-making and post-conflict peace-building," Hatano said. "This is to ensure that peace, once established, will take firm hold."

But Hatano said the United Nations must weigh the costs of future peacekeeping measures. "The U.N. has become the court of first resort, the global 911," he said.

Hatano said that even though many believe that peace stability cannot be given a "price tag," the Security Council must take costs into consideration when planning peacekeeping missions.

Hatano acknowledged Japan's new role in the world community.

"Japan recognizes its responsibilities are global," Hatano said. "Where [Japanese] aid once went to Asia, it now goes all over the world."