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Japan - World War III.2

Japan’s Basic Position is that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine threatens the very foundation of the international order that the international community has built up over a long period of hard work and sacrifice. No country or region in the world can shrug this off as “someone else’s problem.” Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an act that undermines the very foundation of the international order, not only in Europe but also in Asia, making the unity of the G7 even more important. In 2022, the G7 led the international community’s efforts by closely cooperating with unprecedented frequency, such as by holding six leaders’ meetings and 11 foreign ministers’ meetings, including online.

Under the strong determination that unilateral changes to the status quo by force must not be tolerated anywhere in the world, be it in Europe or East Asia, Japan has strongly urged Russia over the past year to immediately cease its aggression and withdraw its troops back to Russia. Japan has also closely cooperated with the international community, including the G7, to implement severe sanctions against Russia and provide strong support for Ukraine. Furthermore, Japan has been actively working to resolve global issues, such as soaring food and energy prices, due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine that have been causing difficulties especially for many developing countries. Japan has also been actively working to address global governance issues such as strengthening of the functions of the UN, including Security Council reform, in order to maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law.

President Putin shifted the Russian deterrence forces to high combat alert immediately after the start of Russia’s aggression, and nuclear threats have been made through various forms of transmissions from Russia. Thus, the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons continues to be a concern in the international community. Under these circumstances, Japan, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during war, has grave concerns about the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons, and has made strong appeals Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine and Japan’s Response in international fora such as the UN and the G7, as well as in bilateral meetings with other countries, that Russia’s threat of use of nuclear weapons, let alone the use of nuclear weapons, must not be tolerated. Russia’s military actions at and near Ukraine’s nuclear facilities are absolutely unacceptable, and Japan condemns Russia’s actions in the strongest terms. Furthermore, based on the experience of the accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Japan has supported efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the safety and nuclear security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.

The international order based on the rule of law, which is under threat by Russia’s outrageous acts, is a public good that supports the peace and prosperity of not only the G7, but also the international community as a whole. Over the past year, in addition to the G7, Japan has deepened its relations with countries in ASEAN, South Asia, Central Asia and the Caucasus, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, and the Latin American and the Caribbean region, and worked together with them to defend the international order. As a result of these efforts, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on October 12 condemning the illegal so-called “referendum” within Ukraine and Russia’s attempted illegal “annexation,” as well as a resolution calling for peace in Ukraine on February 23, 2023. These resolutions respectively received the support of 143 and 141 countries, more than 70% of all UN member states. This clearly shows the will of the international community. Japan will strengthen its solidarity with the international community, including by urging countries that are not participating in sanctions against Russia, in order to show Russia that outrageous acts come at a high price and make it stop its aggression as soon as possible.

Based on this basic position, on March 21, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida made his first visit to Ukraine since the start of full-scale aggression by Russia and held a summit meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Ukraine under wartime conditions embodied Japan’s belief that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific are inseparable, and sent a strong message to all the countries concerned. During the summit meeting, Prime Minister Kishida expressed respect for the courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian people for standing up to defend their homeland and freedom under the leadership of President Zelenskyy. He also conveyed Japan’s unwavering support for and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and Japan’s determination to defend the international order based on the rule of law as the country holding the G7 Presidency. The two leaders then agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation more than ever before, and released the “Joint Statement on Special Global Partnership Between Japan and Ukraine.” Prime Minister Kishida also directly observed the situation in Ukraine, including the damage suffered as a result of Russia’s aggression.

Amid the drastically changing strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan had been engaged in diplomacy with Russia based on the belief that building stable relations with Russia is extremely important not only for Japan’s national interests but also for the stability and development of the region. However, with the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, it has become impossible for the international community to maintain relations with Russia as business as usual, and Japan has made a major shift in its conventional diplomacy toward Russia, taking resolute actions such as implementing severe sanctions against Russia in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.

Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Japan has promptly provided Ukraine with assistance in close contact with the Ukrainian people while accurately grasping local needs, ranging from financial, humanitarian, and defense equipment assistance to the acceptance of displaced persons. Initially, Japan provided approximately 1.6 billion US dollars in financial, humanitarian, food, and recovery and reconstruction assistance to Ukraine, neighboring countries, and others.

In response to Ukraine’s request for the provision of defense equipment and other goods, Japan partially revised the implementation guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology at the National Security Council meeting on 08 March 2024, in order to provide non-lethal equipment in accordance with the Self-Defense Forces Act within the scope of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology. Since that month, Japan has used SDF aircraft and other means to transport and provide bulletproof vests, helmets, winter battle dress uniform, medical supply, protective masks and clothing for use against chemical weapons and the like, small drones, and civilian vehicles (vans).