On October 27, 2025, the Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation hosted the “UN 80th Anniversary Forum” at the House of Representatives in Tokyo. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University (headquartered in Tokyo) and UN Under-Secretary-General, and Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Resident Coordinator in China visiting from Beijing, joined Diet members, scholars, and UN practitioners to discuss how to renew multilateralism amid global turbulence.
Opening the forum, Banri Kaieda reviewed Japan’s longstanding commitment to international cooperation and peace diplomacy. Tetsuro Fukuyama, Vice President of the House of Councillors, shared takeaways from the G20 Speakers’ Summit, underscoring the rule of law and parliamentary diplomacy. Representing civil society, Mitsuo Ohashi, President of the World Federalist Movement of Japan, reaffirmed the vision of reforming and strengthening international institutions and law toward an eventual world federation.
In the first keynote, Rector Marwala highlighted Japan’s decades of support as the UN turns 80 and UNU 50, noting UNU’s growth to a 13-institute network across 12 countries and his plan to engage citizens across all 47 prefectures—grounded in Japan’s spirit of harmony as a basis for peace, dignity, and sustainable development. Chatterjee then framed the Summit of the Future and its Pact for the Future as a “north star” for revitalizing multilateralism, arguing that cooperation among Japan, China, and Korea can drive a renewed order. Drawing on China’s poverty-eradication experience, he underscored political will, sound public policy, and robust partnerships. The Q&A explored East Asian architecture (including AIP ideas) and collaboration on human rights, climate, and public health—reaffirming Japan’s trust-building leadership rooted in history and wisdom.
Statements from parties followed. Masahiro Kōmura (LDP) stressed that, given Japan’s low food and energy self-sufficiency, world peace and stability constitute Japan’s paramount national interest. Hiroyuki Moriyama (CDP) emphasized sustainable core funding for multilateral institutions. Akihiro Kagoshima (DPP) drew on OECD experience to call for coordinated action on global challenges. Hitoshi Aoyagi (Ishin) urged seizing the crisis as an opportunity to renew the UN. Akira Koike (JCP) linked the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights to Japan’s constitutional ideals. LaSalle Ishii (SDP) highlighted diplomacy consistent with Article 9, while Naoto Sakaguchi (Reiwa) stressed safeguarding democracy and human dignity. Eisei Kawaharada (CDP) argued for restoring Japan’s regional presence through green innovation, with discussants noting youth leadership as pivotal.
The forum mapped practical avenues—including expanded Track-2/3 dialogues—for Japan to lead a trust-based renewal of multilateralism, connecting eight decades of UN experience to forward-looking action toward peace, dignity, equality, and sustainable development.
For detailed information about the plenary session and the full transcripts of each speaker’s remarks, please click here.
Reported by Koki Imon
