Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for the United Nations to remove references to “enemy states” from its Charter during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2026.
Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Takaichi argued that the designation is an outdated relic. She pointed to a 2005 UN World Summit resolution that expressed a determination to strip these references from the Charter. Under that resolution, these references should be removed, the Japanese prime minister said. The Prime Minister emphasized Japan’s role as a peace-loving nation that has contributed to global prosperity for 70 years since joining the organization in 1956, mentioning Tokyo’s commitment to multilateralism.
The Charter’s “Enemy State” Provisions
The specific terminology Takaichi seeks to erase appears in Article 53 of the UN Charter, which refers to any state which during the Second World War has been an enemy of any state signatory to the present Charter. Provisions are also contained in Articles 77 and 107. According to CGTN, these clauses were established by the Allied powers to prevent the recurrence of wars of aggression and historically referred to Germany, Italy, Japan and their allied states during WWII.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov countered the Japanese request by noting that the Charter enshrines the outcome of World War II. Lavrov stated that Japan was initially designated as an “enemy statein the document and only joined the UN after atoning for its militaristic policy of genocide against many peoples. He stressed that by signing and ratifying the Charter, Japan recognized its principlesin their entirety and in their interconnection.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry Rejection
China has flatly rejected the appeal, framing the Enemy State Clauses as essential tools for preventing the return of fascism. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun argued at a regular press conference that Japan’s desire to be seen as a country for peace is contradicted by the current administration’s actions.
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“Rather than what Japan says, the world cares more about what Japan does. The postwar ‘country for peace’ image that Japan seeks to establish can only be realized by repenting its history and making a clean break with militarism. The reality with the current Japanese administration, however, is a constant denial of the history of aggression, glorification of Japan’s wartime crimes, and a series of moves to rearm Japan, accelerate remilitarization, seek to ditch the three non-nuclear principles, and revise the pacifist Constitution.”
Guo stated that these moves constitute a blatant challenge to the postwar international order, and a major factor threatening peace and stability in the region. He added that the clauses provide important institutional safeguards for defending postwar international order and remain extremely relevant today. Noting that this year marks the 81st anniversary of the founding of the UN and the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, Guo urged Japan to take history as a mirror, deeply repent, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.
Academic and Legal Critiques
Analysts suggest that Takaichi’s push may be a strategic attempt to align the UN Charter with Japan’s evolving security posture. Lü Chao, a professor at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that Japan is in no position to call for the removal of the enemy-state clauses. Lü noted that the UN was established in the aftermath of World War II, with preventing the resurgence of fascism and militarism among the key considerations underpinning the postwar international order, and that the clauses carry particular historical significance.
Security Policy and the Postwar Order
The friction over the UN Charter reflects a deeper struggle over Japan’s identity in the 21st century. While Takaichi highlights 70 years of multilateralism, her critics see a pattern of rearmament. The disagreement creates a stark divide in how the postwar era is viewed: as a finished chapter that no longer requires “enemy” labels, or as a foundational legal framework that must be maintained to prevent the resurgence of militarism.
Japan's Takaichi Urges U.N. To Drop ‘Enemy State’ Label From Charter Amid Global Crisis
For now, the “Enemy Statelabel remains. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian affirmed support for Sergey Lavrov's statement, insisting that the world must not forget that Japan had been designated as anenemy state” in the UN Charter.
Sanae Takaichi's First UN Speech: Calls For Removal of Japan’s Wartime ‘ENEMY STATE’ Label | N18G
