Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke to several members of the media regarding the parade for the “70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression” that was held in China on September 3. The Secretary-General touched on the criticism he received from the Japanese Government for attending the event, stating that it is a misunderstanding that the UN Secretary-General or the UN organization must be neutral, that there is a mistaken understanding that the UN is neutral, and that it indeed is an impartial body. The Secretary-General also said that the parade was moving and highly praised it. I would like to ask what your views are on this.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan’s comments are that the UN is in a position of urging its member states to promote the harmony and development of the international community, including freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, instead of focusing on particular events of the past, and that the UN should encourage the international community’s adoption of a future-oriented posture. We have repeatedly conveyed this to the UN side. In this regard, it is very regrettable that the Secretary-General attended the ceremony and observed the military parade. Is it not a given that the UN is neutral and impartial? It almost seems as though we are making a play on words.