Arab News Japan 

TOKYO:  Japan’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs UESUGI Kentaro has spoken out against sexual violence in conflict, stating that such violence “threatens international peace and security.”

Uesugi was speaking during a Ministerial Meeting of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Champions’ Network Virtual Roundtable hosted by the United Kingdom on Tuesday.

“It is important to punish perpetrators and end the culture of impunity by strengthening the judiciary,” Uesugi said.

The minister noted that Japan has supported the work of the International Criminal Court and UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict to strengthen judiciaries to prosecute perpetrators.

Japan has also provided medical and economic empowerment support through international organizations such as UN Women, UNFPA and the Global Fund for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.  

“Japan, as a champion country of the initiative, will continue to provide support and make efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict in cooperation with the UK and other like-minded countries,” he added.

The meeting was held in the shadow of the war in Ukraine in which Russian soldiers have been accused of raping Ukrainian women.