“I am you”: Sudden Appearance of Double Delegates in ITU Committee

There cannot be two suns in the sky, but how about two delegates for the same country? On May 29th, 2026, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) stumbled upon an issue when two delegates appeared to represent Japan.

Japan A and Japan B were very confused at the start of the conference as well as other delegates in the committee. “It is very confusing, … the same country represented by different people and representing different views at the same time" said the delegate of Bangladesh.

There also seems to be a conflict between delegates themselves within the committee. Delegate of Japan B said, “Japan A is focused more on the geopolitical side of the conference, … focusing on the international side. I focus more on the benefits Japan can get and push universal connectivity. Japan A respectfully disagreed with the statement and said, “My actions also focus on Japan, however I believe that through engaging in the international stage helps the world entirely, including Japan”.

In the interview with the delegates, the Straits Times asked the delegate of Japan about the goals of the committee and the impact it will have for the East Asian countries. Japan A said, “The policies that we would like to pass are progressive policies that focus on global transparency, ... Japan wishes that these policies will strengthen the unity in East Asia through easier access to communication technologies.”

Currently there are only Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam that are present in the committee. Delegates from countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and the United States of America, said that there are not many South Asian countries’ voices represented in the ITU committee, which is addressed as part of the many issues in ITU.

-The Straits Times

Works Cited

Wang, Bateer. Personal Interview. 30 May 2026.

Janch, Takyuka. Personal Interview. 30 May 2026.