Tokyo has so far unsuccessfully tried to draw the ASEAN countries into the anti-Russian coalition
Tokyo is forcing Southeast Asian countries to condemn the special operation in Ukraine and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, writes Jiji. But the Japanese Foreign Ministry admits that it turns out badly. Readers oppose and urge not to interfere in the affairs of other countries.
Japan, which cooperates with Europe and the United States in carrying out the toughest possible sanctions course against Russia, which continues a military special operation in Ukraine, is trying to call on the countries of Southeast Asia to take similar anti-Russian measures. The goal is to close the "loophole" in the sanctions regime for Russia and increase its effectiveness.
However, many countries in Southeast Asia traditionally have strong ties with Russia, and such a policy of Japan meets with a sluggish reception here. Therefore, it is not at all easy for Tokyo to build a "siege chain" against Russia in Southeast Asia.
On March 9, in Tokyo, the Governments of Japan and the Philippines held the first ministerial talks on the formula "2 + 2" (Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense). It is very noteworthy that although the joint statement following the talks notes that the situation in Ukraine is a "serious violation of international law," neither Russia nor sanctions against it are mentioned in a single word.
There are many countries in Southeast Asia that are strongly connected with it. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN, 10 countries), the socialist countries of Vietnam and Laos are known for their close cooperation with Russia. At an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly held on March 7, a resolution was adopted on suspending Russia's membership in the Human Rights Council, but it is very significant that Vietnam and Laos opposed it from the ASEAN countries.
ASEAN as a whole is characterized by a very restrained position in relation to the situation in Ukraine. On March 3, the ASEAN foreign ministers in their statement called for a ceasefire, but avoided directly mentioning Russia. After that, only Singapore adopted economic sanctions against Moscow.
A joint statement issued by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen in Cambodia in March also calls for "an immediate suspension of the use of force and the withdrawal of troops from the territory of Ukraine," but Russia is not mentioned.
A representative of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained: "The countries of Southeast Asia do not take firm positions in relation to the conflict. As for sanctions against Russia, until there is a corresponding UN resolution, the countries of the region are unlikely to take any unilateral actions in this direction. There is resistance to the unilateral imposition of sanctions until the UN Security Council resolution is adopted." A member of the leadership of the Japanese Foreign Ministry added: "Each of the ASEAN countries has its own considerations that force them to act with caution. This is convenient for each country. You can't force them to act."
Voices are heard inside the Liberal Democratic Party: "We must "sweat" so that Asia does not become a loophole in sanctions against Russia" (Masahisa Sato, Chairman of the LDP Committee on Foreign Affairs). On March 1, Prime Minister Kishida told Parliament that he would "continue to work" with Asian countries, but since then no serious progress has been noticed on this issue. The government faces a difficult task, how to respond to the demands of the ruling party.
Comments from Japanese readers
hi1
If Japan, at the instigation of the United States, engages the ASEAN countries in anti-Russian sanctions, will it not look like interference in their internal affairs?
Maybe it's better for her to try to understand the logic of the positions and actions of these countries in relation to Russia, with which many of them have friendly relations?
sgr
Japan's geopolitical conditions are quite different from those of the United States and Britain.
We need to think based on our own interests, and not run headlong after America and London.
sue
Each country has its own considerations, conditions and way of thinking.
Regarding Russia, each country decides independently whether to condemn it, support it or take a neutral position.
And it is impossible to convince independent countries, or even more so to impose their own line on them.
kom
Why is Kishida no good? Yes, because he puts cooperation within the G7 first, and national interests last. Each country has first of all national interests, and then the interests of international cooperation. If Japan is invaded, it is still unknown whether the United States will guarantee its security. And so I have to say no to the Kishida administration, which does not want to take into account Japan's national interests.
nw6
If the sanctions against Russia are strengthened, Japan will bleed a lot.
An explosion in electricity and gas prices is coming, an increase in prices for all food, primarily seafood and wheat, as well as an increase in losses of Japanese companies – all this will happen at once.
The media does not talk about this reality and does not inform the public correctly.
The government must stand firmly on its feet in assessing reality.
kem
If the country is not directly affected by the situation in Ukraine, the reaction of the countries of Southeast Asia is reasonable.
Even if you take the initiative and impose sanctions, not only will it not bring anything good for the economy and security of your country. This will only create new risks.
It should be clearly understood that sanctions against Russia are now limited to the EU/NATO countries, and a small group of countries consisting of Great Britain, Germany, France, Poland and the USA are taking a special initiative now.
Under these conditions, the actions that Japan is currently taking are abnormal.
As a result, new risks are being created for us in the field of energy, food and security.
tno
In general, it seems that Japan's position is to do everything that the United States says, or what NATO does. Despite our lack of sufficient military power, we are only inciting Russia.
However, even in the United States, it is difficult to get the consent of the people when the authorities simply tell them: "He is a bad guy. Be rude to the bad guys."
lxi
For Japan, Southeast Asia is very important, so we need to understand their reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia. The special operation in Ukraine occurred because of the problems of the United States, Britain and Russia, and Japan is enough to work with sanctions within the G7, and not to climb with coercion to some surrounding countries. Take the example of India, which avoids criticizing Russia even though the latter is strengthening relations with India's adversary, China.
sug
The countries of Southeast Asia have their own political circumstances, their own national priorities and differences in economic power. Some countries may not want to criticize Russia. Should Japan play a role in working on such a country? To impose sanctions or not – each country should make a decision taking into account the situation at home. Japanese logic and Western logic are not always fair. It would be wrong to ask other countries to do this as well.
In other words, Japan should make decisions on sanctions, taking into account its geographical location and military future, and not the considerations of the "Big Seven". I'm just wondering if our government is engaged in forecasting the situation at all, or is all this just an imitation?
