<p>Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used her first address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (Sep 22) to reaffirm Tokyo’s support for the International Criminal Court and the rule of law.&nbsp;</p><p>Speaking in New York, Takaichi said Japan had consistently supported international judicial institutions since the end of World War II, including the ICC, the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. “Since the end of the Second World War, Japan, as a peace-loving nation, has attached great importance to the rule of law in the settlement of any disputes,” Takaichi said.</p><p>Her remarks came against the backdrop of US sanctions against Tomoko Akane, the Japanese national serving as ICC president. Japan has previously described the US measures against Akane as “incompatible” with its position and said it had repeatedly urged Washington not to impose the sanctions.</p><p>Takaichi did not directly criticise the United States in her UN address. Instead, she placed Japan's position within its broader commitment to international law and multilateral institutions. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, used his own UN speech on Tuesday to attack the ICC and call on all member states to leave the court.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-on-nations-to-quit-rogue-and-out-of-control-international-criminal-court-rips-un-1790102584297"><strong>Trump calls on nations to quit ‘rogue’ and ‘out-of-control’ International Criminal Court, rips UN</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Takaichi says post-Cold War era is over</strong></h2><p>Takaichi told the General Assembly that the “stable post-Cold War era” had ended, as geopolitical competition and conflicts put pressure on the international order. Yet she argued that the UN remains essential.&nbsp;</p><p>“There has never been a time when the United Nations was more important than it is today in bringing about peace and stability to the world,” she said.</p><p>The Japanese prime minister said unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion could not be accepted, citing Russia's war in Ukraine as the “most obvious example”.</p><p>She also pointed to the paralysis of the UN Security Council, where Russia, a permanent member, has used its veto on resolutions concerning its own actions.</p><h2><strong>North Korea, Taiwan tensions</strong></h2><p>Takaichi described North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programmes, as well as its cyber activities, as a serious threat to international peace and security. She called for the complete denuclearisation of North Korea and said Japan remained ready for dialogue over the long-running issue of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-ai-super-intelligence-at-un-as-world-leaders-clash-over-how-to-regulate-it-1790129701998"><strong>Trump calls AI ‘Super Intelligence’ at UN as world leaders clash over how to regulate it</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Iran war raises energy concerns</strong></h2><p>The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran also featured in Takaichi's address. She said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was facing increasing challenges and warned that disruptions to fuel, chemical products, medical supplies and fertilisers were affecting economies and households.</p><p>Japan is preparing a comprehensive cooperation plan aimed at strengthening the economic and energy resilience of Gulf countries, she said. "Concerns about arbitrary export restrictions are growing throughout the international community," she said, adding that Tokyo has also launched the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia, or POWERR Asia, to improve energy and resource security across the region.</p><p>Takaichi said Japan would continue working with other countries to protect free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.</p><h2><strong>Japan seeks bigger UN Security Council</strong></h2><p>A major part of Takaichi's speech focused on reforming the UN itself. She said the Security Council's current structure reflects the international situation of 1945 and no longer represents today's global realities.</p><p>Japan wants both permanent and non-permanent membership expanded to make the council more representative and legitimate, she said. “The current structure of the Security Council, whose mandate is to maintain international peace and security, reflects the international situation as it stood in 1945,” Takaichi said.</p>

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has reaffirmed Tokyo’s support for the International Criminal Court and the rule of law at UNGA81, days after Washington sanctioned ICC president Tomoko Akane. She also called for major reforms to the UN Security Council.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used her first address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday (Sep 22) to reaffirm Tokyo’s support for the International Criminal Court and the rule of law. Speaking in New York, Takaichi said Japan had consistently supported international judicial institutions since the end of World War II, including the ICC, the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. “Since the end of the Second World War, Japan, as a peace-loving nation, has attached great importance to the rule of law in the settlement of any disputes,” Takaichi said. Her remarks came against the backdrop of US sanctions against Tomoko Akane, the Japanese national serving as ICC president. Japan has previously described the US measures against Akane as “incompatible” with its position and said it had repeatedly urged Washington not to impose the sanctions. Takaichi did not directly criticise the United States in her UN address. Instead, she placed Japan's position within its broader commitment to international law and multilateral institutions. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, used his own UN speech on Tuesday to attack the ICC and call on all member states to leave the court. Also read | Trump calls on nations to quit ‘rogue’ and ‘out-of-control’ International Criminal Court, rips UN Takaichi says post-Cold War era is over Takaichi told the General Assembly that the “stable post-Cold War era” had ended, as geopolitical competition and conflicts put pressure on the international order. Yet she argued that the UN remains essential. “There has never been a time when the United Nations was more important than it is today in bringing about peace and stability to the world,” she said. The Japanese prime minister said unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion could not be accepted, citing Russia's war in Ukraine as the “most obvious example”. She also pointed to the paralysis of the UN Security Council, where Russia, a permanent member, has used its veto on resolutions concerning its own actions. North Korea, Taiwan tensions Takaichi described North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programmes, as well as its cyber activities, as a serious threat to international peace and security. She called for the complete denuclearisation of North Korea and said Japan remained ready for dialogue over the long-running issue of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang. Also read | Trump calls AI ‘Super Intelligence’ at UN as world leaders clash over how to regulate it Iran war raises energy concerns The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran also featured in Takaichi's address. She said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was facing increasing challenges and warned that disruptions to fuel, chemical products, medical supplies and fertilisers were affecting economies and households. Japan is preparing a comprehensive cooperation plan aimed at strengthening the economic and energy resilience of Gulf countries, she said. "Concerns about arbitrary export restrictions are growing throughout the international community," she said, adding that Tokyo has also launched the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia, or POWERR Asia, to improve energy and resource security across the region. Takaichi said Japan would continue working with other countries to protect free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Japan seeks bigger UN Security Council A major part of Takaichi's speech focused on reforming the UN itself. She said the Security Council's current structure reflects the international situation of 1945 and no longer represents today's global realities. Japan wants both permanent and non-permanent membership expanded to make the council more representative and legitimate, she said. “The current structure of the Security Council, whose mandate is to maintain international peace and security, reflects the international situation as it stood in 1945,” Takaichi said.

<p>Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has reaffirmed Tokyo’s support for the International Criminal Court and the rule of law at UNGA81, days after Washington sanctioned ICC president Tomoko Akane. She also called for major reforms to the UN Security Council.</p>

Japan backs ICC at UN as Trump attacks court, PM Takaichi avoids direct US criticism

<p>The United Nations General Assembly is currently hosting its 81st session and the highly anticipated annual High-Level General Debate commenced on Tuesday (Sep 22) bringing world leaders together under the overarching theme: "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all." For long, the platform for formal diplomacy has witnessed marathon speeches, fiery exchanges, dramatic protests and moments that in today's social media world are called ‘viral.’ As the 81st UNGA gets underway in New York, world leaders are once again taking centre stage to address conflicts, international crises and pressing global challenges. Here's a list of a few viral moments at the UNGA: From Fidel Castro’s record-setting 4-hour-29-minute address in 1960 to Nikita Khrushchev’s fiery protests, Hugo Chávez’s infamous “devil” remark and Muammar Gaddafi’s dramatic UN Charter stunt. Adding to the list of these memorable moments is Donald Trump’s “Rocket Man” speech, Benjamin Netanyahu’s cartoon bomb and Gilad Erdan’s paper-shredding protest.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/erdogan-again-raises-kashmir-issue-at-unga-calls-for-dialogue-under-un-charter-1790095257205">Erdogan again raises Kashmir issue at UNGA, calls for dialogue under UN Charter</a></p><h2>1. Fidel Castro’s 4.5-Hour Marathon (1960)</h2><p>The prize for the longest speech in UNGA history goes to Cuban leader Fidel Castro. During his maiden address, Castro spoke for a 4 hours and 29 minutes. He used the time to target American imperialism, insult US political figures, and outline the ideology of the Cuban Revolution.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>WATCH here&nbsp;</strong></p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨⚡️ THROWBACK: Fidel Castro’s legendary 269-minute UN speech — the longest in history.<br><br>As today’s UNGA meets, recall when Castro held the floor for 4.5 hours, blasting US imperialism, denouncing its meddling in Latin America, and exposing Washington’s backing of dictatorships. <a href="https://t.co/LgJuGq0WFC">pic.twitter.com/LgJuGq0WFC</a></p>&mdash; RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) <a href="https://x.com/mog_russEN/status/1970477366867878103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>2. Nikita Khrushchev’s Fist-Banging and Protests (1960)</h2><p>In 1960 session, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, delivered one of the most energetic speech from a Filipino delegate critiquing Soviet imperialism in Eastern Europe, Khrushchev famously banged his fists violently on his desk. This session also gave rise to the enduring historical legend of Khrushchev waving and slamming his own shoe to disrupt the assembly.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today in 1960-in one of the oddest moments in the history of the <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ColdWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ColdWar</a>-USSR leader Nikita Khrushchev pounded his fist on the table, and according to some reports, removed his shoe and threatened to pound a table with it in protest against a UN speech critical of Soviet policy. <a href="https://t.co/tR7Rm6k7XX">pic.twitter.com/tR7Rm6k7XX</a></p>&mdash; Dr. Paul (@DrPnygard) <a href="https://x.com/DrPnygard/status/1712560813926469830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>3. Hugo Chávez Smells "The Devil" (2006)</h2><p>In one of the most theatrical insults ever delivered from the podium, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez took aim at US President George W Bush. Stepping up to the microphone the day after Bush had spoken, Chávez crossed himself and declared, "The devil came here yesterday. Right here. And it smells like sulfur still today." The clip remains one of the most widely shared clips.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez stood at the UN General Assembly rostrum and gave his historic speech where he called US President George W. Bush the devil 17 years ago today. Chávez warned about US imperialism, “which puts the survival of humanity at risk.” <a href="https://t.co/4hJhIuCScM">pic.twitter.com/4hJhIuCScM</a></p>&mdash; Hüseyin Dogru (@hussedogru_) <a href="https://x.com/hussedogru_/status/1704896075885322695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>4. Muammar Gaddafi Tears Up the UN Charter (2009)</h2><p>Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi used his 2009 UNGA debut to deliver a 100-minute speech that blew past his 15-minute time limit. He openly condemned the UN Security Council, labelling it a "Terror Council," and claimed superpowers treated other nations like second-class citizens. He physically tore a page of the UN Charter and tossed it over his shoulder in open defiance.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi&#39;s speech at the UNGA was also exemplary, questioning how the preamble to the UN charter was contradicted by the contents.<br><br>Listen 🔊 <a href="https://t.co/SewBjEg6hV">pic.twitter.com/SewBjEg6hV</a></p>&mdash; African News (@SaharaWire) <a href="https://x.com/SaharaWire/status/2101908884982022496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>5. Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cartoon Bomb (2012)</h2><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visually demonstrated how close Iran was to developing nuclear weapons. Netanyahu pulled out a large, literal cartoon drawing of a bomb with a burning fuse. He then drew a thick red line with a marker across the diagram to illustrate the threshold that the international community could not allow Iran to cross.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260923/image-1790135575046.png"></figure><h2>6. Donald Trump Dubs Kim Jong Un "Rocket Man" (2017)</h2><p>U.S. President Donald Trump brought his signature rhetorical style to the world stage in 2017. Addressing the escalating nuclear tensions with North Korea, Trump warned that the US would "totally destroy North Korea" if forced to defend itself. He then mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the global stage, stating, "Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime."</p><h2>7. Gilad Erdan Shreds the UN Charter (2024)</h2><p>IIn what is called an echo of Gaddafi's 2009 defiance, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan took to the podium to protest a vote advancing a Palestinian bid for full UN membership. Holding a miniature paper shredder, Erdan live-shredded the cover page of the UN Charter directly in front of the General Assembly, accusing the body of destroying the founding values of the institution</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bomb-scare-in-new-york-amid-unga-suspicious-suitcase-found-near-un-headquarters-1789965542878">Bomb scare in New York amid UNGA: Suspicious suitcase found near UN headquarters</a></p><h2>8. Trump's "Escalatorgate" at UN</h2><p>An escalator leading up to the main speaking floor came to a sudden, screeching halt while Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were riding it, forcing them to walk up the steep steel steps. Trump took to Truth Social to slam the incident as "absolutely sabotage," claiming it was a disaster waiting to happen and calling for the arrest of those responsible. He pointed to reports suggesting UN staffers had joked about turning off the power. The United Nations issued an official statement clarifying that the abrupt stop was not sabotage. Instead, a videographer within Trump's own entourage had accidentally bumped into and triggered the escalator's emergency stop mechanism.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">California Gov. Gavin Newsom just dropped a savage edit of Trump STUCK IN &#39;Escalatorgate&#39; — set to the Macarena<br><br>Clip splices Trump’s speeches into nonsense while mocking him as &#39;Dozy Don&#39;<br><br>Newsom signs off with a TROLLING message &#39;Get well soon &lt;3&#39; <a href="https://t.co/o7oVLNtT18">pic.twitter.com/o7oVLNtT18</a></p>&mdash; RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://x.com/RT_com/status/1971789576298696862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>9. Sleep fest at UNGA</h2><p>Long speeches and grueling schedules at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have caused diplomats and officials to nod off. The most famous, widely circulated image of a Nigerian official "sleeping" at the United Nations features Jaja Wachuku, Nigeria’s first Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in 1960. Historical accounts clarify that Wachuku was not actually asleep. After being denied the floor to voice his displeasure over a racist remark, he deliberately feigned sleep and ignored the remainder of the proceedings as a silent, diplomatic protest. Late former President Robert Mugabe, who famously went viral in September 2017for dozing off during the 72nd UN General Assembly session. Several members of Mugabe's large 70-person delegation were also caught on camera dozing off or looking dazed right alongside him. In 2019, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was caught on camera sleeping soundly for roughly 15 minutes.</p>

The UN General Assembly has produced decades of memorable moments, from Fidel Castro’s 4.5-hour speech and Nikita Khrushchev’s protests to Hugo Chávez’s “devil” remark and Gaddafi tearing the UN Charter. Here's a list

The United Nations General Assembly is currently hosting its 81st session and the highly anticipated annual High-Level General Debate commenced on Tuesday (Sep 22) bringing world leaders together under the overarching theme: "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all." For long, the platform for formal diplomacy has witnessed marathon speeches, fiery exchanges, dramatic protests and moments that in today's social media world are called ‘viral.’ As the 81st UNGA gets underway in New York, world leaders are once again taking centre stage to address conflicts, international crises and pressing global challenges. Here's a list of a few viral moments at the UNGA: From Fidel Castro’s record-setting 4-hour-29-minute address in 1960 to Nikita Khrushchev’s fiery protests, Hugo Chávez’s infamous “devil” remark and Muammar Gaddafi’s dramatic UN Charter stunt. Adding to the list of these memorable moments is Donald Trump’s “Rocket Man” speech, Benjamin Netanyahu’s cartoon bomb and Gilad Erdan’s paper-shredding protest. Also Read: Erdogan again raises Kashmir issue at UNGA, calls for dialogue under UN Charter 1. Fidel Castro’s 4.5-Hour Marathon (1960) The prize for the longest speech in UNGA history goes to Cuban leader Fidel Castro. During his maiden address, Castro spoke for a 4 hours and 29 minutes. He used the time to target American imperialism, insult US political figures, and outline the ideology of the Cuban Revolution. WATCH here

<p>The UN General Assembly has produced decades of memorable moments, from Fidel Castro’s 4.5-hour speech and Nikita Khrushchev’s protests to Hugo Chávez’s “devil” remark and Gaddafi tearing the UN Charter. Here's a list</p>

From Gaddafi tearing up UN Charter to Trump’s ‘escalatorgate’: Most unforgettable UNGA moments

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Japan backs ICC at UN as Trump attacks court, PM Takaichi avoids direct US criticism

From Fidel Castro to Gaddafi to Trump: Most unforgettable UNGA moments