"In his report, the Secretary-General brings to light how conflict-related sexual violence has become a threat to human security, especially for women and girls. The report also highlights how such violence is an impediment to socio-economic development and peacebuilding efforts in countries emerging from conflict situations.

"I wish to conclude by reiterating my country's commitment to the full and timely implementation of all Security Council resolutions against sexual violence, including resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010). Beyond that, we call on all parties to conflicts to make specific and time-bound commitments to ceasing all acts of sexual violence."

Thirdly, sexual violence is never a by-product of conflict and it can be prevented. As the SecretaryGeneral's report underlines, we need to focus not only on collecting timely and reliable information, but also on analysis of trends and patterns of sexual violence.

Secondly, a comprehensive approach is key, and it can be undertaken when the actors involved are proactive and engage in greater cooperation with each other. Under international law and the resolutions of the Security Council, it is the responsibility of the Government and army of a country in conflict to protect their people.

One of the lessons learned from the mass rape in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in July and August this year is the need for communication between United Nations missions and the local community. I would like to stress that such communication could also provide early warning of imminent problems.

It is critical to protect women from all forms of violence and to empower them within their society. For this reason, Japan has decided to make a contribution of $4.5 million to UN Women for its project in Afghanistan. It is also vital to strengthen the comprehensive response that is the responsibility of United Nations peacekeeping missions. We expect more women's protection advisors to be designated in the missions.

First of all, Japan supports the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/604), including its recommendations to strengthen efforts to end impunity with regard to sexual violence as a tactic of war and terror.

Finally, in the two years that Japan has served its present term as a non-permanent member, the Security Council has adopted more resolutions and presidential statements on issues relating to women and children in conflict than it had in the past. We welcome this trend as a clear sign of the commitment of the Council to addressing these issues.

As most here know, a number of child soldiers have been released in the five years since the establishment of the monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict under resolution 1612 (2005). Monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements to be established under today's resolution should build on that good practice.

"The second is the importance of giving systematic consideration to sexual violence in authorizations and renewals of peacekeeping and special political missions. Moreover, when missions are mandated, technical assessments of country situations should include gender expertise. "