Committee: United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

Delegation: Japan
Topic: Examining strategies of civilian protection in areas of
armed conflict

Background and Japan’s Position:

It is undeniable that a wave of hostility has plagued the international community in recent months.
Japan believes that commitment to ensuring safety and security for civilians caught in the crossfire of
armed conflict is vital, and conformity with international humanitarian law is a necessity to do so.
Japan’s contributions to relieve the distress of the civilian populations inhabiting these areas are
evident. So far, Japan has contributed significantly to the crisis in the Ukraine, pledging $7 billion
dollars, primarily in humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Japan has provided extensive aid to the
humanitarian catastrophe occuring in Gaza ($450 million to UNRWA, 6th biggest contributor), and
has openly called for the implementation of a ceasefire (Feb. 22, Brazil) with the aim to foster security
for the Palestinian civilians and impede the further loss of innocent life. Furthermore, Japan is one of
the most prominent presences in the United Nations’ UNHCR, with the financial support invested in
the committee facilitating effective and efficient responses to the addressing of grave humanitarian
needs.

Japan believes that it is crucial to reiterate the importance of observing international humanitarian law,
and how a lack of adherence to its policies will only result in greater loss of life. This should be
heavily encouraged to sides currently engaging in armed conflict; The Israel-Hamas war and the
Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Additionally, the strengthening of critical international legal frameworks
(IHL) is necessary to cultivate greater security for civilians. Japan advocates for the ratification and
implementation of key international treaties and conventions, such as the Convention on the Rights of
the Child and the Convention on the Protection of Persons in Humanitarian Crises, as well as
supporting efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable through
national and international justice mechanisms. Furthermore, it is the belief of Japan that frequent
intervention from external parties in armed conflict can only disrupt the establishment of
accountability and generate more conflict and instability for the civilians, which would undermine the
necessity for IHL to be upheld. Therefore, Japan encourages that UN organisations are empowered to
implement the principles of IHL but also actively alleviate the burdens on civilians who inhabit zones
where armed conflict is prevalent through strictly non-violent ground support.

Solutions and Policy Proposals:

Whilst Japan does believe that the primary focal point to prevent civilian casualties should be to
encourage and strive for the upholding of IHL, Japan believes that nations with adequate stability and
influence should be contributing more non-violent methods of protection for civilians. Japan has
identified three primary necessities (or lack thereof) that are fundamental for fostering the
maintenance of human life. These include; 1. Sufficient nutrition, 2. Access to medical care, 3.
Adequate Shelter. Japan believes that these three deprivations are very necessary to tackle, and are
very prevalent burdens facing civilian populations in these conflict zones. It is evident that
humanitarian aid is often found to be exploited, and therefore Japan, having assessed our
technological competencies, would suggest exploration in Biometric Identification and
Registration, to ensure the accurate and secure identification of civilians in conflict-affected areas,
particularly in situations where populations are displaced or at risk of exploitation. Registration
systems such as mobile phone tracking or biometric scans can help humanitarian organisations track
and assist vulnerable individuals, prevent fraud and duplication in aid distribution, and reunite
separated families.

Additionally, Japan proposes the Development of Digital Platforms and Communication

Technologies to facilitate the coordination of humanitarian assistance and protection services in
conflict zones. This could include the creation of online portals for information sharing, coordination
of humanitarian actors, and dissemination of critical information to affected populations, enhancing
the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian response efforts.

Furthermore, Japan believes that violations of human rights (under IHL) that should be inherently
unmitigated; for example, the access to food and sanitary water, medical care shelter, should result in
Punitive Military and Economic Sanctions and Diplomatic Isolation. Japan encourages this as a
method to incentivise nations to uphold the integrity of International Humanitarian Law. Diplomatic
Isolation would be through supporting efforts to diplomatically isolate countries that persist in failing
to observe International Humanitarian Law by encouraging other nations to limit diplomatic
engagement and cooperation until they comply with international norms and treaties. Punitive
measures would involve impediments to the perpetrating nations military, thus implementing UN
surveillance and inhibiting the states military capacities. Additionally, Economic Sanctions are
interpreted to be a pivotal approach to promote non-proliferation, therefore disabling a nation's
capacity to violate IHL through civilian harm and compelling future cooperation with IHL, thus
fostering a safer future and protection for civilians in armed conflict zones.

REFERENCES

Mari Yamaguchi - Japan pledges $4.5B more in aid for Ukraine, including $1B in humanitarian funds
(2028) - Accessed 7/12/2023
https://apnews.com/article/japan-ukraine-support-humanitarian-aid-g7-ac26f0224efbdcdfd75f
bfdfbf6c9da8
Japan resumes funding to UNRWA for its ‘indispensable’ aid work in Gaza - (2024) - Accessed
2/04/2023
https://www.timesofisrael.com/japan-resumes-funding-to-unrwa-for-its-indispensable-aid-wor
k-in-gaza/
Reuters - Japan PM tells Israel's Netanyahu civilian casualties should be minimised (2023) Accessed
6/12/2023
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-pm-tells-israels-netanyahu-civilian-casualtie
s-should-be-minimized-2023-12-06/#:~:text=%22Prime%20Minster%20Kishida%20stated%2
0continued,a%20Foreign%20Ministry%20announcement%20said.
H.E. Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko - Minister for Foreign affairs of Japan (2023)
https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Japan-MOFA.pdf
Ministry of Foreign affairs - Humanitarian Aid Policy of Japan - (2011) Accessed 07/2011
https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/emergency/pdfs/aid_policy_japan.pdf
Japan’s contributions to the UNHCR - (2023)
https://reporting.unhcr.org/donors/japan