TOKYO: Japan has broken with years of precedent in its tough response to the Ukraine invasion, and the conflict could reshape Tokyo's defense strategy as it confronts...
TOKYO: Japan has broken with years of precedent in its tough response to the Ukraine invasion, and the conflict could reshape Tokyo's defense strategy as it confronts China's regional ambitions, analysts say.When Russia last pushed into Ukraine in 2014, Japan's response was seen as lukewarm, but this time around it has marched in lockstep with Western allies on unprecedented sanctions and tough rhetoric, even sending non-lethal military aid.
In the past, Tokyo worried aggressive actions on Russia could push Moscow into Beijing's arms, said James D.J. Brown, an associate professor of political science at Tokyo's Temple University.'Now however, that's completely flipped around,' he told Agence France-Presse.Instead, the view is that 'Japan has to be tough on Russia, because otherwise it sets a precedent, and perhaps encourages China to think that they could do the same thing'.