Japan needs to make stance on Israel-Hamas war clearer, observers say

Here's a stance: stay out of it. Stay out of things you don't understand. Because of all the worldly things the Japanese don't understand, the storied and ancient conflict between the Jews and the rest of the world they understand the least.

I think most of the G7 will state publicly that they want a cease fire to "save the innocent civilian lives", but privately will tell Israel to "do what you have to do".

Pretty difficult to make your position clear when you're sitting on the fence.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has told reporters repeatedly that the Asian country is "not a direct party to the conflict and does not fully grasp its specific situations. We cannot make a definitive legal assessment" of the Israeli attacks.

Disgusting cowardice from the Japanese government. Kamikawa and the rest of these gutless lickspittles should be ashamed of themselves. It's ethnic cleansing, collective punishment and genocide, all of which are illegal.

Frankly speaking, I think Hamas knew exactly what the reaction from Israel would be when they carried out their atrocity. You might call this a giant suicide attack. Hamas will be mostly wiped off the face of the earth, but they will inflict immeasurable damage on Israel by drawing them into a war. Personally, I would have rather Israel didn't react so obviously.

Japan’s stance is clear to support the innocent civilians and to end the war. Japan does not have to support either side.

https://www.nhk.or.jp/politics/articles/feature/103549.html

She said, "not a direct party to the conflict and does not fully grasp its specific situations. We cannot make a definitive legal assessment" of the Israeli attacks." Really? She used, "we," which implies she's speaking on behalf of Kishida and this simply implies that they are bereft of both moral and intellectual integrity, leaving them in a state of ethical and cognitive emptiness. Firstly with all the history available in this day and age, if they can't formulate their own position, they don't belong on the stage. Secondly, you don't need a legal assessment, what about basing your arguments based on humanitarian grounds? Absolutely no moral or intellectual capacity to be standing on the stage.

obladi

Today 07:41 am JST

Frankly speaking, I think Hamas knew exactly what the reaction from Israel would be when they carried out their atrocity.

Frankly speaking, I think the Israeli military and security services knew what they were planning and let it happen. Either that or they are guilty of criminal incompetence on a catastrophic scale.

Frankly speaking, I think the Israeli military and security services knew what they were planning and let it happen. Either that or they are guilty of criminal incompetence on a catastrophic scale.

That's exactly what I think too.

Japan strong support for Israel and not condemning Israel genocide of Palestinians, indiscriminate bombing of civilian children, babies make ls It clear now Japan very strong support for Ukraine was not based on any principles or international rule of law or love for Ukrainians, or humanitarian aspects. Japan just blindly follows USA policies.

Japan has made it clear it wants the fighting to stop and to end the needless deaths of innocent civilians

Japan doesn't need to get involved or take sides

Wrong. Japan voted against a ceasefire. Japan is just a puppet of the USA.

They making Japanese citizen target of opportunity for terrorists,they keeping a list and checking it twice, Google Houthis US Drone

Japan just blindly follows USA policies.

Japan is just a puppet of the USA

I agree with both of you. But it's not the only one. ALL the other G7 nations are as well.

Staying away from somebody else’s problems sometimes is the wisest choice.

What happened to rule of law and crimes against humanity everyone likes to talk about?

No, Japan doesn't need to get involved. Stay out of it.

Japan just needs to decide how much of its soul it is willing to sell for oil.

This is disgusting Cold War mentality. Do what is best for peace, for both Jews and Palestinians.

The G7 members' alignment over Israel's ongoing war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas may open up a rift with Muslim countries that would ultimately benefit China and Russia down the road, they said.

Frankly speaking, I think the Israeli military and security services knew what they were planning and let it happen.

This was my first thought and there's no reason to think otherwise given what we know about the skulduggery of Netanyahu and his unscrupulous extreme right wing cohort who want the Palestinians to go away for the creation of a "Greater Israel", and also from the information leaking out from surviving witnesses whose testimony has been censored within Israel. Many IDF soldiers were captured by Hamas, many Israeli civilians were killed in the crossfire and, IDF tanks indiscriminately shelled houses killing their own people (under the ruthless "Hannibal Directive": no negotiation with the enemy - kill ALL including captured Israeli soldiers and civilians). The more nuanced story of October 7 has yet to be told to the world and the people of Israel, but the truth will out eventually; and what did Netanyahu know and when did he know it are two of the big unanswered questions.

This is a messy conflict with accusations of both sides killing children. Japan to me as a foreigner living here need to act as a voice of reason for peace as the only country to have suffered the tragedy of a nuclear bomb. The world is on the precipice of madness and needs leaders for peace, not more countries picking sides for world war 3. The world is being lead by mad men intent on mass destruction-sanity must prevail. Rant over.

Dear Yoko Kamikawa

make yourself useful and please make miso soup for Palestinians

Alfie NoakesToday  07:35 am JST

Disgusting cowardice from the Japanese government. Kamikawa and the rest of these gutless lickspittles should be ashamed of themselves. It's ethnic cleansing, collective punishment and genocide, all of which are illegal.

it is more than that, they want to spark a WAR to involve all arab countries and BRICS.

why do you think they are making WAR simulations and buying US missiles in Japan?

Japan is just a US military base proxy, nothing more.....

But if Japan made its stance clear (which it can't because it has no clear stance), how could they try to play both sides?

Japan needs to make stance on Israel-Hamas war clearer,

Japan stance is pretty clear. We dont have a dog in this fight. Therefore, we are staying out of this mess. Japan has good relations with the Arab/Muslim world. We want to keep it that way. The Arab world has oil that Japan needs. What does Israel bring to the table? Bagels?

Why? because of being on the end result of nuclear war. Remember it was a member of the Israel war cabinet that stated we will drop a nuclear bomb Gaza, Only low life scum put out warning of nuclear frets, Putin come to mind. The Jews are the only race that will bring a weapon to a fist fight EG "David and Goliath" In this fight the Jew is Goliath. A race that will finance both side of a war to achieve their main goal. EG the war of the Moors 1480,s. The Japanese culture is refine unlike Jewish culture of back stabbing your ally EG the war of the Moors, and the Great War were evidence shown Jewish money backing both Germany and the Allies. Japan learnt a huge lesson about taking land of others and respect history. That why they are being diplomatic.

Japan is smart enough not to be sucked into the circus of judgment. This is the way. Sasuga.

Check out the mindset of the side that should be avoided at all cost. By their deeds ( and their words ) ye shall know them!

Alfie NoakesToday  07:35 am JST

Disgusting cowardice from the Japanese government. Kamikawa and the rest of these gutless lickspittles should be ashamed of themselves. It's ethnic cleansing, collective punishment and genocide, all of which are illegal.

Classy stuff.

does not fully grasp its specific situations.

That is a silly excuse. They know very well this genocide is 100% wrong.

They really should get a full grasp of the situation, but more importantly they must grow a spine and stop blindly following US's orders.

I doubt if the government of Japan really understands the underlining religious/cultural histrionic nuances of Israeli-Hamas or Russian Ukraine Europe geopolitical hostilities.

Interestingly. a plus. a means to provide the impartiality essential to find diplomatic compromises.

Typically vague, weasel words by the J-Gov. They are a satrapy of the US, but want special treatment for their companies and need the region's oil and gas. Meanwhile the IDF kills thousands of civilians indiscriminately and all Japan can do is check with DC first to see how they should react to that outrage. Pathetic people.

Japan absolutely should not voice "steadfast and united support" for Israel and "unequivocal condemnation of Hamas." There are no good guys in this conflict; Israel is just as despicable as Hamas. Anyone taking a side is encouraging terrorism.

The G7, Japan, cannot/will not make a clear stand on this issue is because, they do not believe in it/there is 0% conviction. In fact, its possible that their true belief is the opposite!! They are making these vague statements so that they will appear politically correct, avoiding judgement/criticism/laughter/shame.

@Alfie 7.35am

And of course, Hamas' attack that butchered 1400 Israelis is ok then?

Yrral @ 8.31am

Your comment is jumbled to say the least. What exactly are you saying?

The Government of Japan has no histrionics with the middle east or Israel.

This fact could become crucial in the future.

Russia is a more complex subject altogether.

Japan’s position is quite clear. They don’t want to be dragged into a fight where both sides are wrong.

Japan as a member of the G7 should have a clear political alignment with this issue.

Their PM stated not long ago that he wants to lead the world peace,then his minister is contradictim him,

On personal note,I fully support the ONLY full democracy in the middle east which is Israel.

And Hamas is a terrorist affiliation,no more than the Taliban,Al Quaida and ISIS.

How about taking the side of people that won't kidnap you and behead you? The people who's country you can safely travel in? The people who do good business with you? The people who have contributed positively to your society and culture? The people who won't treat your women poorly and like property? No, we do not take the side of fundamentalist Muslims. We do not want them near us. We give aid to them and they either steal it, never helping the people. We will not take their side. We know who are friends are.

Randy Daytona @12.36pm

The "rant" is apparent in your initial comment. There are both sides' activities to consider, not just a tunnel vision focus that you apparently possess.

First, let's stop with the hyperboic and innacurate claims of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and collective punishment. The exemplary behavior of the IDF, particularly in light of the cowardice and barbarism of Hamas, is an example for all to follow.

I agree that Japan should come down clearly on the sight of democracy and human rights, not the side where women are butchered and LGBT people are tortured and executed.

Israel does not slaughter anybody.

It is a conventional army, not asking for killing.

They were attacked gor being Jews, in the name of their holy fanztic God.

Don't close your eyes.

have you listened once to Hamas speech and their chart's objective ?

How can people listen and believe what is Hamas Reporting ? Do you believe Daes, Isis or alike ?

Palestinians are part of the solution. Hamas is the problem. Some here have no idea that teenagers are participating in war too...like some women are supporting Hamas.

A 'genocide' where your enemy waits 15 days warning for you to leave a zone, leaves you a path to leave the war zone from North to South and documents war crimes officially.

I pray for peace but during WWII, there was never a possibility for discussion with extremists Germany or Japan before the end...

That is why Fatah was washed from Gaza in 2006 by Hamas. Note that West bank governed by other Palestinians have not joined the war, though plenty of squirmishes.

Frankly speaking, I think the Israeli military and security services knew what they were planning and let it happen. Either that or they are guilty of criminal incompetence on a catastrophic scale.

Yes, it does benefit Bibi, and he's clearly enjoying being the guy in control again, but these arguments do not prove anything. Motive alone does not solve a crime. You need evidence.

This whole Palestine-Isreal blodbath has nothing to do with Japan, since it is a Buddhist-Shinto country and this 70 years war is a Christian-Islamic-Jewish problem

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has told reporters repeatedly that the Asian country is "not a direct party to the conflict and does not fully grasp its specific situations. We cannot make a definitive legal assessment" of the Israeli attacks.

We are living in the 21st century when information from any part of the world is accessible.

When a person with an automatic rifle shoots an unarmed person then it’s not difficult to make an ‘assessment’

I know what would occur if I were to assault a Japanese in Japan with much less violence

What is wrong with Kamikawa?