Japan’s Takaichi Slammed for Weak Responses to U.S., Russia

Tokyo, Aug. 22 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration is under fire for what critics say are weak responses to U.S. sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan and to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to a disputed island. The government did not criticize or lodge a protest against the sanctions on Akane in order not to upset Japan’s sole formal ally, with Takaichi saying only that the measure was “regrettable.” It was also unable to take measures after Putin’s trip last week to Etorofu, one of the four islands that are called the Northern Territories in Japan and are claimed by Tokyo but controlled by Moscow, due to concerns about the potential fallout on energy supply. On Friday, participants in a meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party voiced frustration over the government’s response to the U.S. sanctions. One member said Japan should demand that the United States withdraw the sanctions, while another said that Tokyo must protect Akane. Japan, which regards the rule of law as a key pillar of its diplomatic policy, is the largest financial contributor to the ICC. Takaichi met Akane, the first Japanese head of the ICC, at the prime minister’s office in January and pledged Tokyo’s “strong support.” Still, the government was slow to respond amid news reports early Wednesday morning that Akane had been placed under U.S. sanctions. It was only after 6 p.m. that day that Takaichi commented on the matter, saying merely that she found the sanctions “deeply regrettable,” while not mentioning possible support for the ICC or a protest against the United States. In contrast, several European countries have publicly pledged support for Akane and the ICC. “The prime minister’s communication is completely inadequate,” a former cabinet minister argued. Agnes Callamard, secretary-general of international human rights group Amnesty International, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Japan’s response was “rather weak.” Takaichi reacted immediately to Putin’s visit to the Northern Territories, saying that the trip “makes it difficult to restore relations in the medium to long term.” She also had the Foreign Ministry summon the Russian ambassador to Japan to lodge a protest. While the government is considering further steps such as imposing stricter economic sanctions and temporarily recalling Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto, it has still not taken any measures a week later. The indecision is apparently due to worries that such reactions could affect Japan’s imports of liquefied natural gas from Sakhalin in Russia’s Far East. “We can’t avoid considering the energy issue,” a government source said. When asked at a press conference Thursday about possible measures after the Russian president’s trip, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that Tokyo will “respond appropriately while comprehensively considering what is necessary for Japanese national interests.” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said only that the government is considering the matter internally. Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, told a press conference Tuesday that the administration’s stance was too weak. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]