by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE / SDNY, Sept 24 – In the UN General Assembly Hall on Tuesday as Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke, his diplomats appeared to be sleeping.
Inner City Press tweeted out a photo; it has been picked up in Japan, with most oppobrium focused on Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, whose eyes appeared to be closed.
Following many replies, Inner City Press early on September 24 asked Japan's Mission to the UN:
"Last night it appeared that some, even most, of Japan's delegation in the UNGA hall during the Prime Minister's speech were asleep, or at least had their eyes closed. Given some interest this seems to have sparked back in Japan and elsewhere, and in a desire to be fair, can you please send Inner City Press your comment. On deadline."
While still awaiting response, Inner City Press will publish whatever comment Japan's Mission sends.
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
Previously:
Inner City Press which closely covers the UN on September 12 wrote to Japan's Mission to the UN:
Dear Permanent Representative Yamazaki:
I am writing to you as Permanent Representative to the United Nations, more than two weeks before the UN General Assembly High Level Week, formally requesting that your Mission act to ensure Press access to enter the UN and cover this UNGA session.
I am a journalist who covers the UN - and its General Assembly - closely. I also covered international affairs beyond the UN, as simply one example earlier this month see reporting of my questioning of the IMF at one of its briefings I routinely am allowed to enter and cover, "Sept 1, 2025, Decrypt, "El Salvador Is Splitting Up Its Bitcoin," by Mat Di Salvo,
More than 11 days later, nothing from Japan. We'll have more, much more, on this.
More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
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