Japan Is Seeking Greater U.N. Role

Re “Koizumi to Propose a Leap in U.N. Status for Japan,” Sept. 18: This article only hastens to remind us that the United Nations has become so ineffective in dealing with major world events such as the Darfur genocide in Sudan or the Iraqi war. [By becoming a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council], Japan, along with the other proposed members, Germany, India and Brazil, will be able to help the world community in overcoming the twin demons of the new century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

The international community must act to reform the U.N. while the momentum toward this goal is growing. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is forward-thinking in his desire to seek a change of status for Japan, and for the United Nations. Japan can no longer seek an escape via its pacifist constitution from the difficult realities that our age confronts, and America can no longer face these same difficulties in isolation without the help of the Japanese.

Ken C. Arnold

Santa Monica