Japan does not recognize Crimea vote: government spokesman

[ProSense]

Japan does not recognize Crimea vote: government spokesman

(Reuters) - The Japanese government does not recognise a referendum in Crimea on seceding from Ukraine and calls upon Russia not to annex the Ukrainian region, its top government spokesman said on Monday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that Tokyo will respond on sanctions against Russia in coordination with the Group of Seven leading economies.

Crimea's Moscow-backed leaders declared a 96-percent vote in favour of quitting Ukraine and annexation by Russia in a referendum Western powers said was illegal and will bring immediate sanctions.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/17/ukraine-crisis-japan-idUST9N0M101J20140317

[former9thward]

1. And they don't think they committed any war crimes in WW II.

Yep, they have real credibility about other countries affairs.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. Apparently you have to be the Republic of June Cleaver to have a say in anything.

At least according to your rules.

So basically no country can have a say about anything because of things they may have done in the past?

[dionysus]

3. [phone]

[former9thward]

4. There is hypocrisy everywhere in foreign relations.

Some people are bothered when it is pointed out.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. When it's to the point of absurdity, yes. nt

[stevenleser]

6. There is hypocrisy in everyone and everything. We still have to do things and make decisions

Japan is right here.

[ProSense]

7. Yeah,

"Yep, they have real credibility about other countries affairs. "

...much more credible to justify invading another country.

I mean, Putin's illegal invasion is OK because...WWII?

Are you now supporting illegal invasions because something illegal happened?

[Bonobo]

8. Herp derp

[T. J. Kong]

9. As someone with very close ties to Japan, the right wing government of Japan today

will play it's role, as it has for decades (The LDP has held the prime minister office since 1955 in all but one election around 3 years ago), as part of our bulwark against "communism" (Russia and China) in Asia.

Abe's admin has been particularly flatfooted, and revisionist in it's recent statements about WWII, which have only served to worsen relations with it's neighbors, e.g. China, and Korea, where they should have east Asia on it's side against the imperialist threats, and aggressive actions emanating from China.

I have no confidence in Abe's admin, and I am not surprised to see them support the US on this issue in regards to Russia, as they always have, but I will be curious to hear about any quid pro quo they may expect from the US in regards to their ongoing territorial dispute with China... especially if the US does not reciprocate.