February 28, 2026

Japanese Communist Party lawmakers on February 27 received a courtesy visit from the president of the United Nations University and other UN-related staff in the Diet building where they exchanged views on the role of the UN and the current state of its support.

JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira pointed out that the U.S. Trump administration’s actions are in violation of the UN Charter and international law while halting financial support for UN agencies. He criticized these actions for running counter to world history. Stating that the importance of the UN is growing ever greater, he said, “Our party in the Diet will demand that the Japanese government fully support your work.”

UN University Rector (UN Under-Secretary-General) Tshilidzi Marwala expressed his gratitude to the JCP by saying, “We have received very strong support from you regarding the UN, multilateralism, peaceful conflict resolution, nuclear disarmament, and foreign aid.” He added that the UN is currently facing a severe financial crisis due to significant cuts in development aid from the US and other major Western nations. He stated that this is seriously impacting the most vulnerable people who need the UN support.

Nemoto Kaoru, director of the UN Information Center Tokyo stated that Japan has consistently pursued the path of a peaceful nation since the end of WWII. However, she pointed out that “power politics now prevails” and called on the JCP to amplify its voice advocating for peace through diplomacy and dialogue.

Yakiya Naoe, director of the UN Women Japan Liaison Office, reported on the critical state of global gender inequality, explaining that many women’s support organizations are being forced to suspend their activities due to budget shortages. She emphasized the need for global coordination and support to achieve gender equality, and requested JCP cooperation to enable Japan to demonstrate its leadership in this field.

Other attendees at the meeting included Yamazoe Taku (JCP Policy Commission chair), Kira Yoshiko (JCP member of the House of Councillors), Hadzialic Hideko (director of the UN Development Program Representation Office in Tokyo), Sakurai Asako (partnership development specialist at the UN Volunteers Tokyo Liaison Office), and Kato Mariko (partnership officer at the International Fund for Agricultural Development Japan Liaison Office).