Japanese Prime Minister Kan Yoshihide delivered a video address during the general debate at the UN General Assembly on the 26th of March. This is his first time addressing the international arena on a multinational stage since becoming Prime Minister.
In his speech, Kan said that in the face of the challenge of the new coronavirus crisis, Japan will provide 170 billion yen in medical and healthcare assistance to developing countries, and will provide 500 billion yen in loans over two years to support the recovery of their economies hit by the epidemic. In the face of the worldwide spread of the new coronavirus epidemic, Kan noted that the 2019 novel coronavirus has plunged the world into an unprecedented crisis, which, in turn, has led the international community to strengthen cooperation from a trend of fragmentation and isolation. In the 75 years since the founding of the United Nations, multilateralism has grown stronger and made new progress in the face of various challenges, Kan said. He called for continued solidarity among nations to turn the current crisis in the new world into an opportunity for greater cooperation.
Discussing the resolution of the North Korean abduction of Japanese nationals, Kan called on Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Jong-un to hold summit talks with Japan. Japan will build on the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration and aim to normalize diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea, he said. He said, “As the new Prime Minister of Japan, I am prepared to hold unconditional talks with Chairman Kim Jong-un.
In his speech, Kan emphasized that legal challenges cannot be allowed against the backdrop of China’s advancement of its activities in the South and East China Seas. He also stated that the Kan regime would continue the “free and open Indo-Pacific” approach of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
In response to questions about whether the Tokyo Olympics can be held next year due to the proliferation of neo-crown infections still occurring in some parts of the world, Kan said that Japan is determined to prove its victory over the neo-crown pandemic by hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next summer. For that reason, he said he would continue to prepare for the Games and do his utmost to welcome people to a safe Olympic event.
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