The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has once again called into question the raison d'etre of the United Nations. In February, the U.N. Security Council rejected a draft resolution condemning Russia, due to Russia's use of its veto power. Secretary General Antonio Guterres' call on Russian President Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire was also in vain. People around the world are disappointed in the United Nations' inability to stop Russia's rampage. This disappointment is particularly strong in Japan.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized at the Liberal Democratic Party's March 13 convention: "Russia's outrageous actions, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, shows the need for a new framework for international order. Japan has long called for reform of the United Nations. The Kishida administration will do its utmost to realize this goal."
