Topic: 2026 – Implementation of Sanctions
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Jada Wynn
2-8-2026
Submitted to: Special Committee on the United Nations Charter
From: The State of Japan
Delegate name: Jada Wynn
Subject: Implementation of Sanctions
While the main purpose of sanctions is to minimize and prevent further threats within a country, some of the implementations can actually harm the country, such as hurting the country’s economy and possibly raising humanitarian concerns. In an article from the United Nations about sanctions, it expresses concerns about how unilateral sanctions are causing more harm than good, eroding economic, labour, and human rights all at the same time. These sanctions are actually causing more harm than good; implementing further sanctions against a country can lead to the country suffering, economically, and having its people suffer. In another article from the University of Georgia, there was a study made about sanctions, and how sanctions against a country signal to the people that the country is doing poorly, which then leads to violent protests, and further leads to the country’s government silencing its people, usually through violent means. There needs to be a system in place to make sure that many rights are not being violated and that the people in the country are not suffering either.
The State of Japan does, in fact, use sanctions, but never abuses these powers. Japan mainly imposes economic-based sanctions under Japan’s Foreign Exchange and Trade Act, which ensures international transactions are processed normally and maintains peace and security with Japan. Japan has issued sanctions against Russia in response to its ever-increasing aggression against the war with Ukraine. Japan has also used unilateral sanctions against North Korea due to the concern of the country’s nuclear and missile activity. These sanctions are solely used to properly regulate trade within the country, protect the country against potential threats such as North Korea, and respond to a country’s actions, such as Russia. Japan has never abused these powers and never will.
A solution to target the negatives against sanctions would be possibly have a system for potential aid for countries that desperately need it for their people, such as Haiti. While a country’s actions need to be held accountable, the people suffering within the country need to be taken into consideration also because these citizens are also being affected by their country’s actions and need support.
To conclude, Japan hopes to tackle this issue regarding the implementation of sanctions properly with other delegations. Japan strongly advocates to work together and find a system that can give aid to citizens in countries that are in a drastic state, and prevent the possibility of violating any human rights. While sanctions can be a good alternative to violence, these concerns need to be addressed immediately to further prevent harm.
Works Cited
Open Sanctions. “Japan Economic Sanctions and List of Eligible People.” Open Sanctions,
https://www.opensanctions.org/datasets/jp_mof_sanctions/
Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog. “Japanese Imposed Sanctions Archives.” Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog, https://sanctionsnews.bakermckenzie.com/category/sanctions-regimes/other-sanctions/japanese-imposed-sanctions/
We The People: School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia. “Why Sanctions Can Worsen Human Rights Abuses.” We The People: School of Public and International AffairsUniversity of Georgia, https://wethepeople.spia.uga.edu/article/why-sanctions-can-worsen-human-rights-abuses/
Japanese Law Translation. “Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.” Japanese Law Translation, https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4412/en
ICLG. “Sanctions Laws and Regulations Report 2026 Japan.” ICLG, https://iclg.com/practice-areas/sanctions/japan
United Nations. “Rising use of unilateral sanctions raises humanitarian concerns: UN expert | OHCHR.” United Nations, Sept 15, 2025, https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/rising-use-unilateral-sanctions-raises-humanitarian-concerns-un-expert#:~:text=In%20her%20report%2C%20Douhan%20stressed,an%20adequate%20standard%20of%20living.
