World · East Asia & Pacific · 14 hrs ago
Japan PM urges removal of WWII-era clauses from U.N. Charter
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged countries to remove World War II-era “enemy state” clauses from the U.N. Charter.
The clauses refer to countries that lost the war, including Japan, Germany and Italy.
They allow enforcement action against those countries without Security Council approval to prevent a return to aggressive policies.
U.N. resolutions in 1995 and 2005 called for the clauses to be removed, but they remain in the Charter.
China, which supported the 2005 resolution, now opposes removal and says the clauses help prevent militarism from threatening peace.
The dispute comes as Japan-China relations have worsened, including after Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a response by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
Takaichi says she will keep urging countries to delete the clauses, while China’s opposition could further strain ties.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called for removing World War II “enemy state” clauses from the U.N. Charter.
She made the call in her first address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York in September.
China opposes removing the clauses, saying they are intended to prevent fascism and militarism from threatening international peace and security.
The debate comes as relations between Japan and China have deteriorated over security issues, including Takaichi’s remarks about a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan.
Takaichi has said she will continue urging countries to support deleting the clauses.
- Who
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is calling for the clauses to be removed; China opposes their removal.
- What
- Takaichi urged deletion of the World War II “enemy state” clauses from the U.N. Charter.
- When
- She made the call in September 2026 and reiterated her position in parliament on Oct. 7.
- Where
- At the U.N. General Assembly in New York, and later at a parliamentary session in Japan.
- Why
- Takaichi said Japan takes pride in its contributions to the United Nations; China says the clauses help prevent fascism and militarism from again threatening international peace and security.
Japan
China
Removal
Japan
Takaichi says the clauses must be deleted and has vowed to keep urging countries to support their removal.
China
China opposes removal, saying the clauses are intended to prevent fascism and militarism from again threatening international peace and security.
Current status
Japan
A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official described the clauses as “already dead letters.
China
China has said the clauses remain in effect.
They must be deleted
I would like to strongly emphasize this position as Japan takes pride and honor in its significant contributions to the efforts of the United Nations
prevent fascism and militarism from again becoming threats to international peace and security
There is no longer any room for any country to invoke the clauses
A U.N. General Assembly resolution called for early removal of the clauses, saying they had become obsolete.
A U.N. World Summit outcome document called for removing the references, following a resolution backed by member states including China.
Takaichi told parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a response by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, after which Japan-China ties deteriorated sharply.
Takaichi called for deleting the clauses in her first address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
Takaichi told parliament there was no longer any room for a country to invoke the clauses.
- Japanese prime minister
- Sanae Takaichi
- U.N. address
- New York, September 2026
- World War II “enemy state” countries
- Japan, Germany and Italy are named as examples
- Removal resolution
- 2005 U.N. resolution backed by member states including China
- Chinese position
- Opposes removing the clauses
Sources
Related news
Middle East war and debt loom over IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok
Eight orangutans rescued from fires released into protected forest in Borneo
South Korea says trust with US remains strong amid intelligence-sharing concerns
Two men die as festival floats overturn in Osaka Prefecture
South Korean ambassador returns home amid dispute with Ukraine over POW transfer
South Korea tests its first domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle
Greens urge Australia to block possible US execution live stream
Ceiling collapse in Daegu injures 38 during kitchenware sales event
Australia says it will not buy Russian fuel after Trump’s diesel deal
Malaysia closes schools as haze prompts calls to investigate companies
Japan protests Russia’s bid to extradite ICC president and eight staff members
