According to reports Kyodo News, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida left for New York on Tuesday (20/9) local time.

Diplomatic sources said that during the trip, Kishida also scheduled meetings with other leaders gathered for a week-long general debate session beginning the same day, including US President Joe Biden.

“Since the international order has been shaken by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I will convey Japan’s position, such as strengthening the role of the United Nations,” Kishida said in the prime minister’s office before he left. from Tokyo.

His remarks come amid growing concerns that the UN Security Council has become dysfunctional since Russia – one of five permanent members of the main body tasked with tackling threats to international peace – launched its invasion of Ukraine at the end of February.

Kishida is also expected to speak with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in New York, as Tokyo and Seoul attempt to mend relations that have soured due to war history and other issues.

The annual UN event comes amid the war in Ukraine and tensions around Taiwan, which has divided major US-led democracies, as well as Russia and China.

The G-7, which includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union, has imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its invasion from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, China has stepped up its military activities in the Indo-Pacific region. They staged a large-scale shooting near Taiwan last month following a visit to the self-governing island by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China, which views Taiwan as a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary, opposes official contact between the island and the United States.

“Kishida will call for strengthening the role of the 193-member UN and reforming the 15-seat council,” Japanese officials said.

Kishida postponed his departure originally scheduled for Monday to monitor the damage caused by a powerful typhoon in Japan.