Takaichi asks UN to strip Japan's WWII 'enemy state' label amid China rift
In her first UN General Assembly address, Japan's PM pushed to remove a 1940s charter clause that China has cited in its dispute with Tokyo over Taiwan remarks.
What to know
- Takaichi's first UNGA speech called for removing the UN Charter's WWII-era clause branding Japan (and Germany) as an 'enemy state.'
- China has recently cited that same clause to attack Japan amid a breakdown in relations over Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan.
- Japan is reportedly seeking U.S. backing to help end what it views as a broader Chinese pressure campaign.
- Beijing maintains the clause remains legally binding and serves as a safeguard of the postwar order.
“never been more important”
Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan · Japan Times ↗ · Sep 22
Sanae Takaichi Prime Minister of JapanChina (Beijing) Diplomatic adversary in the disputeUnited States Ally sought for support
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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WSJ ties speech to China's broader pressure campaign on Japan
The Wall Street Journal reported that China has used the UN charter language as part of a wider pressure campaign against Japan, and that Tokyo wants Washington's help in ending it.
“must be reborn as a 'more resilient and effective United Nations'”
— Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan · source -
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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used her first speech to the U.N. to call for an overhaul of the body — including removing a label that China has latched onto in its row with Tokyo that refers to Japan as an "enemy state." https://www. japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/…
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Bloomberg reports Takaichi will press UN to drop 'enemy state' clause
Bloomberg reported that Takaichi would call on the UN to remove charter references branding Japan and Germany as 'enemy states,' a classification China had recently cited to criticize Tokyo amid strained relations over Takaichi's Taiwan remarks.
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first by Japan Times, 1d ago · also NYT, NYT Asia Pacific, Hindustan Times, WSJ, Bangkok Post
3 more headlines
- At the U.N., Japan’s Leader Says It’s Time to End ‘Enemy State’ Label NYT · 21h ago
- Japan’s Leader Calls on U.N. to Drop ‘Enemy State’ Label Hindustan Times · 20h ago
- Ditch ‘enemy state’ label, Japanese PM tells UN Bangkok Post · 16h ago
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first by Bloomberg Politics, 1d ago
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background
Takaichi delivers first UNGA speech, calls for charter overhaul — Speaking 70 years after Japan's UN admission, Takaichi reaffirmed Tokyo's commitment to multilateralism and said the organization must be 'reborn' to regain international trust, explicitly calling for removal of the 1940s 'enemy state' provision.