Japan denies ‘militarisation’ after Russia opposes permanent UN council seat

Tokyo on Monday rebuked Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after he voiced opposition over the weekend to Japan’s drive for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, claiming the country was on a “path of militarisation”.

Lavrov’s comments came as the security council, tasked with safeguarding peace, is facing calls for reform amid accusations it failed to prevent recent conflicts such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, due largely to the veto power of its five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

At the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Lavrov said a reformed security council “cannot provide any extra seats” to Germany and Japan, which had taken “the path of militarisation”.

Recalling last year’s 80th anniversary of the Allied victory “over German Nazism and Japanese militarism” in World War II, Lavrov blasted the notion of either country gaining a permanent seat on the powerful council.