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Japan expresses its support for Ukraine
Japan ended years of neutrality by harshly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
This conflict may change Tokyo's defensive strategies against China's intentions.
In 2014, when the Kremlin seized Ukraine's peninsula from Crimea, the response from Japan was branded as neutral. But today, he has been in tune with Western alliances over sanctions and his rejection of Russia's actions.
Japan has currently sent non-lethal military support to Ukraine in a show of support and solidarity.
On the other hand, the crisis is impacting discussions about Japanese military spending and capabilities. Japan, according to its constitution, limits its armed forces only to the defense of the nation.
The expert on Asia from the Foundation for Strategic Research, Valerie Niquet, assures that within the Asian continent, Japan is being accused of having paid to withdraw from the conflict, since they have sent money to Ukraine so as not to get directly involved in the war..
He also points out that Tokyo is emphasizing that they will not wait to see what happens next.
In addition, Tobias Harris, of the Center for American Progress, has highlighted the speed with which Japan has applied personal sanctions to Russian businessmen.
These drastic measures for a Japanese government break with the neutral schemes that they have shown for decades, reflecting the seriousness of the conflict.
Although there are other factors taken into account, such as the departure of the country's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, who had shown rapprochement with the Kremlin.
Before his resignation in 2020, Abe had maintained some rapprochement with Russia to reach agreements on some islands controlled by Moscow.
Russia calls these islands the Kuriles and Japan calls them the Northern Territories.
Without Abe, within the Japanese government, the country's authorities have had more freedom to act against Russia, although they have not abandoned energy alliances with the Kremlin for fear of possible shortages.
