Japan’s delegation to the United Nations formally rebutted remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the U.N. General Assembly, exercising its “right of reply” to challenge his assertions about Japan’s national security posture. The exchange followed Lavrov’s speech in which he claimed Japan was abandoning its post-war pacifist policies.
In his address to the General Assembly on Sept. 23, Lavrov stated that the United States was promoting military alliances in Asia. He specifically named Japan, alongside Germany, as nations that he said were overcoming their post-war legacy and pursuing “remilitarization.” The Russian foreign minister’s comments were part of a broader speech that criticized the foreign policy of the United States and its allies.
In response, Mitsuko Shino, First Secretary of Japan’s U.N. mission, delivered a statement refuting the claims. “The statement by the representative of the Russian Federation is completely groundless and contrary to the facts,” Shino said.
She stated that since the end of World War II, Japan has “consistently followed the path of a peace-loving nation” and has contributed to global peace and security. Shino added that Japan’s security policy remains exclusively defense-oriented and is based on its constitution. She also reiterated Japan’s commitment to the three non-nuclear principles of not possessing, producing, or permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into its territory.
The Japanese representative also addressed Russia’s actions in Ukraine, stating they constitute a violation of the U.N. Charter and that attempts to justify them were unacceptable.
Separately, in Tokyo, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno addressed the matter during a press conference. Matsuno echoed the U.N. mission’s position, describing Lavrov’s remarks as “unfounded.” He affirmed that Japan’s foreign and defense policies are transparent and have been consistently explained to the international community.
The diplomatic exchange at the United Nations occurs amid strained relations between Japan and Russia. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Japan joined international partners in imposing sanctions on Moscow. In response, Russia designated Japan as an “unfriendly country” and suspended peace treaty negotiations, which include discussions over the disputed islands known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.
