Iran Attacks to Be Focus of Takaichi’s 1st U.S. Trip as Japan PM

Tokyo, March 3 (Jiji Press)–The U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran will be a major focus of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s first visit to the United States since taking office last October. Although the attacks have been heavily criticized by the international community as an international law violation, Takaichi has avoided directly commenting on the matter, apparently in consideration of relations with the United States, Japan’s only full-scale ally. If the prime minister makes a positive comment on the attacks, Japan’s mantra of respecting the rule of law, which takes account of China’s coercive actions, would be undermined. “I plan to hold frank talks on the Iran situation with U.S. President (Donald) Trump,” she said during a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on Tuesday, commenting on the Japan-U.S. summit scheduled for March 19. Meanwhile, Takaichi swerved a question about the legal assessment of the attacks, replying, “That is something that can only be done with more time.” The latest instance is not the first time that Japan has been troubled by the U.S. actions against Iran. In June last year, the United States launched attacks on Iran shortly after Japan strongly condemned Israel for attacking Tehran. Put in a tough spot, Tokyo opted to express its view that the U.S. attacks reflected Washington’s resolve to thwart Iran’s nuclear weapons possession. The Japanese government plans to maintain a similar stance over the latest attacks. Although a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said that there are “no signs” of the U.S. government being dissatisfied with Japan’s attitude over the latest attacks, there is still a chance that Trump may press Takaichi to support the strikes during the upcoming summit. Takaichi’s U.S. trip will come before Trump visits China from late this month. With China ramping up military and economic coercion, Japan hopes to keep U.S. attention on the security of East Asia. Trump, however, apparently aims to reap economic gains through a possible deal with China, in the run-up to the U.S. midterm elections in November. The Takaichi-Trump summit, to be held under such circumstances, will “come at a difficult time,” a veteran member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which is headed by Takaichi, said. Another senior Foreign Ministry official said, “We still have two weeks until the prime minister’s U.S. visit.” “We’ll consider our actions based on the situation at that time,” the official added, showing an intention to keep a close watch on further developments in the situation. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]