This is the role Japan played in the war in Ukraine

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In the shadow of Xi Jinping’s (69) state visit to Vladimir Putin (70) earlier this week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (65) paid a visit to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (45). A clear message to China and Russia, which Japan feels threatened by.

The Kremlin reacted harshly to Kishida’s trip to Kiev. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (67) warned Japan not to get involved in the conflict. He also warned against exploiting Russia’s current vulnerability in the Kuril Islands. He announced that Russia had installed a new anti-missile battery on Paramushir Island, an island in the north of the Kuril Islands.

Russia and Japan are in conflict over the four southernmost islands of the Kuril Islands. These islands have been controlled by Russia since the end of World War II, but are also claimed by Japan. Because of this dispute, the two countries are still officially at war 79 years after the end of World War II.

Aid in the billions

What role does Japan play in the war in Ukraine? Japanologist Raji C. Steineck (56) from the University of Zurich explains: “Japan sees itself as a partner to the West in this war and is also interested in stopping Russian expansion efforts.” Japan has so far provided Ukraine with massive financial aid of about $7 billion, but only supplies clearly defensive equipment such as protective suits and no weapons. Because: The Constitution of Japan prohibits military operations that are not self-defense.

The dispute could even flare up again around the southern Kuril Islands. “In 2021, there were reports from a Russian whistleblower that Russia was preparing for war with Japan over the Kuril Islands,” says Steineck. However, the Russians are under pressure in Ukraine and are currently barely able to open a second front. “Such statements are therefore probably threatening gestures to minimize Japan’s support for Ukraine,” says Steineck.

The US stands behind Japan

In an emergency, Japan could count on the help of the largest military power. Steineck: “Should Russia attack Japan, the United States would be contractually obligated to assist Japan.” However, how that would happen would depend heavily on the size of the attack and the overall situation. “In general, however, Russia’s success in this case would come at great disadvantages for the United States, as it could, for example, encourage China to take aggressive action against Taiwan and Japan.”

Japan’s military spending in recent years was the ninth largest in the world at $54 billion, but was about one-sixth to one-fifth that of China. The same relationship exists, for example, in fighter jets. However, in some types of warships, China is up to ten times superior.

Massively higher military investments

Fearing China, Japan wants to increase its military spending by about a quarter again this year. Until now, the focus has been on defensive weapon systems, but in the future Japan also wants to develop the ability to launch retaliatory strikes over long distances. The advantage of Japan: the very high technical standard and the ability to trade.

The otherwise reserved Japanese are also shifting to a higher gear in the field of communication. Steineck: “The language used by the Japanese government towards Russia and China has become much more robust. She probably assumes that restraint in the face of provocation will be interpreted as weakness.”

Source: Blick