From the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Japan has sided with the West. The country imposed economic sanctions on Moscow. Japan has sent military equipment to Ukraine to deal with Russian forces in the war. He also stood by with humanitarian aid. Japan's initiative for Ukraine has not stopped yet.
As a result, Moscow-Tokyo relations have deteriorated. Both countries have announced the expulsion of each other's diplomats. Moscow has suspended ongoing peace talks between Russia and Japan over ownership of several islands.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has taken the initiative to isolate Russia over the Ukraine issue. He is continuing to try to bring Asian countries to the western belt. The Prime Minister of Japan is currently in Rome after completing his tour of Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.
Russia, meanwhile, has not stopped short of expelling Japanese diplomats. A statement from Russia's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that 63 Japanese nationals, including Prime Minister Kishida, had been barred from entering Russia.
In addition to Kishida, the list includes Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and several senior members of the Japanese parliament, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.
In addition, a number of journalists, academics and researchers known as Russian critics have been placed on the sanctions list. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Japan's recent anti-Russian rhetoric is "an unprecedented example of hostility."
Japan has previously banned Russian President Vladimir Putin, several members of his cabinet and members of Putin's family and close associates. At the same time, their assets were confiscated.
Such reciprocal steps by the two countries have now become a very symbolic decision. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person. There is no indication that the countries that are in a strong position in terms of military ball will come out of this crisis. On the contrary, there is a clear indication that the situation will deteriorate further in the future.
Kishidar's efforts to pull Asian countries into the western hemisphere have not been as successful in the tours of Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. The leaders of the three countries have refrained from mentioning Russia's name in the context of Ukraine, saying they are reluctant to follow Kishidar's recommendation.
Even then Japan did not stop. As part of a similar effort, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is now planning to visit Fiji and several other countries in the South Pacific.
Meanwhile, Rome-based Prime Minister Kishida met with Pope Francis at the Vatican today. In addition to the situation in Ukraine, the importance of freeing the world from the threat of nuclear weapons was discussed. Kishida and Pope Francis have condemned the killing of civilians in Ukraine. He also pledged to continue efforts to restore peace in the war-torn country.
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