The Rough Road Of Japan's Bid For The Permanent UN Security Council Membership

After becoming the economic power in the world, Japan is right on its way to be one of the world's political powers. The United Nations, as the biggest international governmental organization around the world, has great influence in conciliating the world affairs and tackling the international activities. Becoming the permanent member of UN Security Council is the best way to realize its dream of being a political power. The UN reform, especially the Security Council reform, provides an optimal opportunity for Japan's bid for permanent membership. To achieve this goal, Japan never gives up its efforts. It donates funds for UN organizations actively; increases Japanese percent of the UN budget; engages in the UN peacekeeping activities; participates various activities held in the name of UN and also looks for supports of UN members. In 2004, Japan formed an alliance with Germany, India, and Brazil, trying to carry out its goal of being the permanent membership under their adopted policy of"binding policy"on UN's 60th anniversaries since establishment. But the action still turns out to be a fail. The responses of UN members are variant, and Japan can not obtain most supports. Japanese inner problem and the complexity of Security Council reform are also obstacles on the road of its bid for permanent membership. Whether Japan could achieve its target not only depends on its own conditions, but also depends on the recognition of UN members and the process of Security Council reform. Under a series of correlative restrictions and influences, it's hard for Japan to achieve the target of becoming the Security Council permanent member in short term.