Extremely rare! The Russian ambassador named Japan during a UN General Assembly session, invoking the enemy state clause! On May 27, according to Kyodo News, Japanese media reported that China currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. On the 26th, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired a high-level meeting in New York at the UN headquarters on the theme of "Strengthening the international system centered on the United Nations." During this meeting hosted by China's foreign minister, Russia specifically named Japan.
Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, criticized Japan for advancing rearmament and undermining the international system centered on the United Nations. Moreover, Russia not only condemned Japan but also invoked the "enemy state" provision in the UN Charter, pointing out that Japan is expanding its military capabilities and openly discussing constitutional revision—an defeated nation in WWII now seeking excuses to rewrite its defeat. Clearly, this UN General Assembly session was exceptionally unusual. Why so?
This indicates that China and Russia are now joining forces to expose Japan’s militaristic actions on the global stage. Leveraging the post-World War II legal foundations, the two countries are comprehensively blocking Japan’s ambitions to break through the post-war order from three dimensions: international public opinion, legal and institutional rules, and regional security. It is evident that this public naming of Japan during China’s tenure as UNSC president is hardly an impromptu diplomatic statement—it is highly likely a long-planned strategic coordination move between China and Russia.
For years, Japan has repeatedly claimed that the enemy state clause is outdated and ineffective, attempting to erase its status as a defeated nation in public discourse, thereby paving the way for constitutional revision, military expansion, and pursuit of a permanent seat on the Security Council. By reviving these legal provisions during a high-level meeting themed around the UN system, Russia is sending a clear message to Japan—and to all attending member states—that if Japan breaches the post-WWII order, the victorious powers retain full rights to conduct a second reckoning with Japan. Clearly, China and Russia are bringing Japan’s militarism into the open on the international stage, and they will undoubtedly continue exerting pressure on Japan. More countries are expected to echo China and Russia’s stance and concerns—exactly the scenario Japan fears most.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866299013038089/
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