((5) Many of the new forces mentioned in (4) above are developing countries that acquired independence recently. They have become increasingly self-assertive in recent years in their demands for a reorganization of the existing order, the basic framework of the international community, as a means of reforming the status quo. In 1974, the developing countries, under the leadership of those countries whose economic positions improved through the energy crisis, strongly demanded a drastic enhancement of their political and economic status. The creation of an ad hoc committee to review the U.N. Charter by the 29th Session of the General Assembly, in addition to the holding of the Conference on the Law of the Sea, the adoption of the Declaration at the Sixth Special Session of the General Assembly on Raw Materials and Development and the adoption of the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States at the General Assembly, are proof that their demands are beginning to take concrete form.
2. Japan's Diplomatic Efforts at the United Nations
Japan has consistently placed high expectations on the United Nations which aims at the maintenance of international peace and cooperation in various fields. One of the pillars of Japan's diplomacy has been active participation and cooperation in the various activities undertaken by the United Nations to achieve these objectives. From this point of view, Japan places particular emphasis on the three areas of disarmament, economic and social development, and the strengthening of the foundations of the United Nations. Japan's main efforts in 1974 were as follows :
(1) In the field of economic and social development, Japan stressed the need for " dialogue and cooperation" at the Sixth Special Session of the General Assembly on Raw Materials and Development , and actively cooperated in emergency assistance for the developing countries most seriously affected by the current economic situation. At the World Food Conference, Japan stressed the importance of self-help on the part of the developing countries for expanding agricultural production. In the debates on the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States and other matters, Japan endeavored to have its views incorporated while avoiding a showdown with the developing countries, although not necessarily with satisfactory results.
(2) In his general debate speech at the 29th Session of the General Assembly, Foreign Minister Kimura made proposals on nuclear non-proliferation and the problem of integration and coordination of actions in the economic and social fields. These proposals bore fruit in the form of a resolution appealing to all states to exert concerted efforts in all the appropriate international forums with a view to working out promptly effective measures for nuclear non -proliferation and also in the resolution for strengthening the functions of the Economic and Social Council.
(3) The 29th Session of the General Assembly discussed for the first time in two years the subject of reviewing the U.N. Charter, which Japan, from the standpoint of strengthening the United Nations, had consistently supported since its adoption as an agenda item at the 24th Session of the General Assembly in 1969. Japan, together with other countries in favor of the review, successfully promoted a resolution for the creation of an ad hoc committee for reviewing the U.N. Charter.
(4) Japan co-sponsored and promoted resolutions on the Korean and Cambodian questions, the two major issues in the U.N. related to Asia, at the 29th Session of the General Assembly, both of which were adopted. On the Korean issue, Japan co-sponsored a resolution seeking implementation of the consensus reached at the 28th Session of the General Assembly in 1973 and expressing the hope that the Security Council would give consideration to the dissolution of the United Nations Command, in conjunction with appropriate measures for maintaining the Armistice Agreement, with the view to promoting dialogue and enhancing many-sided exchange between North and South and for the maintenance of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. On the Cambodian issue, Japan co-sponsored, together with other countries of the Asia and Pacific area, a resolution calling upon the parties directly concerned in Cambodia to negotiate with each other and requesting the Secretary General to use his good offices, from the viewpoint that it would be undesirable for the U.N. to change Cambodian representation because it would impose a choice upon the Cambodian people and establish an unwelcome precedent in U.N. history and that the United Nations should rather provide as much assistance as possible for a peaceful settlement of the Cambodian problem.
(5) Japan abstained from voting on such issues as South Africa, Palestine and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States. Generally, Japan as a developed country often shares the same views with the developed Wester