Moves to reform the U.N. Security Council, which plays a major role in United Nations decision-making, are approaching a crucial phase. The so-called Group of Four countries (Japan, Germany, India and Brazil) — which are bidding for permanent seats on the council — have issued a framework draft resolution on enlarging the council.
The number of U.N. member countries has increased from the initial 51 at the end of World War II to 191 countries at present. The world still faces various new threats, such as ethnic conflicts, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and terrorism. Reform of the Security Council is essential if the U.N. is to respond effectively to the changing times and to restore its legitimacy and reliability.
In these circumstances, it is appropriate that Japan, which has appealed consistently for peace from the standpoint of the need to eliminate nuclear weapons, should be given a status and role commensurate with its national strength. In addition, Japan has provided about 20 percent of the U.N. budget.