Japan's debate over Russia and the Ukraine conflict: a review of Japanese periodicals and think tank publications in 2014 and 2015

Abstract

German observers tend to view the causes and consequences of the Ukraine conflict in a Euro-Atlantic context. Their primary focus lies on Europe’s economic well-being and stability. The political discourse in Japan reveals a very different perception of the events. In Japan, Russia is viewed not primarily as a European power but rather as an Asian power. In their analysis of the causes and consequences of the conflict, Japanese experts consequently concentrate on the Asian context. Many of them call on Japan to intensify relations with Moscow – even if doing so means departing from the G7 line and Western sanctions policy. Japan’s interests, they argue, are best served by such a course of action. (Autorenreferat)