Japan’s Challenges at the United Nations, a Conversation with Amb. Motohide Yoshikawa

“Japan’s Challenges at the United Nations”, a conversation with Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa, former Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations.

Ambassador Yoshikawa joins UNU Rector David M. Malone for a conversation assessing these challenges, and the future of Japan’s engagement with the UN.

As the second largest financial contributor to the United Nations, and with its leading role in a myriad of global issues from climate change to peacekeeping, Japan has undeniably risen to prominence within the UN. Nonetheless, Japan faces a number of key challenges as it moves forward. These challenges include UN Security Council reform, of which Japan has been a long-standing proponent; North Korea, whose proximity and growing nuclear capacity is particularly alarming for Japan; and peacekeeping, in which Japan’s participation is constrained by its constitution. How should Japan address these challenges? Can Japan draw on its alliances both within the UN and at home to strengthen its role as a major international actor?

H.E. Motohide Yoshikawa was the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations from 2013 to 2016, during which he successfully campaigned for Japan’s candidature for a non-permanent seat at the Security Council, and served as a member of the Security Council from January 2016 until the end of his term in New York. Previously, Ambassador Yoshikawa served as Permanent Representative to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and as Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also held positions in various capacities at Japanese embassies across the world, including Argentina, Spain, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

A graduate of International Christian University, Ambassador Yoshikawa speaks Japanese, English, Spanish, and French. He has notably received decorations from Argentina, Morocco, and Spain.