Japan Today
politics

Israel-Palestinian conflict tests Japan's oil diplomacy

36 Comments
By John Geddie, Yoshifumi Takemoto and Tim Kelly

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Thomson Reuters 2023.

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.

36 Comments
Login to comment

Concerns about energy security, as well as Japan's diverse diplomatic interests in the region, explain why Tokyo initially struck a more neutral tone on the crisis than other Group of Seven

Wise move, no need to increase price even higher in Japan.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Japan should take a stand against terrorist supporting NPT-violating Iran. How exactly did they think that would look good among their non-Chinese trading partners?

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Japan also has a long history of internal religious rivalries, leading to eventual semi harmony.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

No need for meddling in from far away. I guess that's bringing the most merits in this specific case.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Is the oil reserve island Tsunami safe?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

If Japan was so impartial why didnt it abstain from the resolution that Russia brought up to have a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

If it doesnt want the killing to stop, at least abstain your vote.

Japan voted against to it does not want a ceasefire.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Randy DaytonaToday 05:15 pm JST

Japan should take a stand against terrorist supporting NPT-violating Iran. How exactly did they think that would look good among their non-Chinese trading partners?

Don't lecture JAPAN on what it should do because it's none of your business

Japan will do what japan wants to do

I'm sure you will never ever lecture the US as well.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I find it amusing that people think they can tell other countries what to do and how to think - let alone order them to act contrary to their economic self-interest to advance an entirely different, foreign agenda that is counter-productive to them (and much of the world).

It's this top-down G20-style colonialist-master-slave mentality that has alienated much of the world recently.

Iran is, historically and contemporarily, a victim of this vicious ideology - Tokyo should be aware of this when it plays the poodle to the US's rabid dobermann.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

How come Japan stance is neutral and working for peace? Japan rejects UN resolution calling for a ceasefire and end to slaughter of Palestinians by Israel?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

No Worries, Japan is not a NATO member and it is not supplying bombs to either side as far as I know, in fact Japan is widely seen as a peace broker or a mediator in many parts of the world and I hope it stays this way.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

As already done for humanitarian assistance, I am sure Japan will also foot part of the bill for reconstruction of Gaza. So, the government should make sure that Japan's contributions be highly visible. Also, advocating the two state solution for sustainable stability and peace is an appropriate diplomacy for Japan, I think. What I am not sure is whether or not Japan has the required diplomatic capacities and visions.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

TaiwanisNotChina, the NPT-violating country in that area just happens to be Israel. If you delve a little deeper, you will find that Israel also supports terrorism. It supports terrorist activities in Palestine. There are many terrorists living in illegal Israeli settlements inside Palestine.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

No Worries, Japan is not a NATO member and it is not supplying bombs to either side as far as I know, in fact Japan is widely seen as a peace broker or a mediator in many parts of the world and I hope it stays this way.

NATO is going to open an office in Tokyo to intimidate China.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

A leadership with no guts to call a terrorist act, a terrorist act!!! Disgraceful!!!

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

What does it mean for the resource-poor nation's oil lifeline from the Middle East?

To me it means for the last several decades Japan, Inc. / LDP have known about theproblem of resource scarcity but pushed it under the rug, and instead of developing alternatives to burning huge amounts of oil and gas have decided to put the nation at perpetual risk and as a result remain beholden to nations like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and others.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I gather at least three people here think that having unprotected oil silos on tsunami-infested waters is safe?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Iran, Saudis and other oil producing countries were selling oil flavouring to China instead of Japan. Why?

Because they knows Japan is just a mini-me of U.S. Japan is just a vassal state of America that is know towing to US diplomacy. So it is time wasting to bet Japan can help or she can speak for the interest for Arabs!

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Concerns about energy security, as well as Japan's diverse diplomatic interests in the region, explain why Tokyo initially struck a more neutral tone on the crisis than other Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations, three government sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Japan is the only G7 country that has a good relationship with the Muslim world. What good will it do Japan to side with Israel?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Iran, Saudis and other oil producing countries were selling oil flavouring to China instead of Japan.

What is oil flavouring? Is it some type of cooking oil? If you mean petroleum aka Oil, Japan buys a lot of oil from both Iran and Saudi Arabia.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Japan had been eager to steer clear of any language that could have been seen as provocative.

Smart! Stay clear of this mess.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Japan was "standing one step behind the United States and some European countries", added Isamu Nakashima, associate research fellow at the Middle East Institute of Japan.

And the whole Muslim world hates both the US and Europe and loves Japan. Perhaps the Professor-so called-, should ask why that is the case. Why should Japan follow the US into the Middle East?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was "some gap" between Tokyo and Washington's position on the crisis and that Japan was "walking a fine line" in responding to events while maintaining its interests in the region.

 

As there should be. America created this mess with its policy in the Middle East. It was America that backed a tyrant in Iran from 1950 to 1979. It was America that created Al Qaeda. It was America that attacked Iraq in 2003  and its America’s love of Israel that is causing this mess.

 

America made its hamburger, America should eat it.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

There's been oil shocks like every 2 decades, what did all the Oil importer did ? Import more oil!! LOL.

Japan has the brain to discover new energy, but it decide to use that brain to invent AKB48 instead.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

An Oil embargo will bring supporters of Israel to their economic knees,a war would mean tankers would be targeted and a blockade of oil routes and Biden opening his big mouth is not helping the situation,he should stayed home and do what he always do sleep all day

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Don't blame them for being cautious; their reliance on middle East oil is not a secret and as such is reflected in the strength of their voice in this conflict.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

70 percent of American fear terrorism,if Israel invade Gaza,then why would American support something that has an adverse effect on their safety

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The mention of an oil has sent oil prices over 3 dollars,what happened if Saudi Arabia is overthrowed for their support of Israel and the oil field are seized

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Even Israel invasion of Gaza,in the past was a lost cause,only making Hamas stronger to rebuild it arsenal,the psychological aspect Israel and Palestinian live in fear,a war would open up the Gates of Hell economically for the whole world

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I remember last time when "Abe-San" flew to Tehran to meet Grand Ayatollah Khamenei to discuss Japan being a mediator between U.S. & Iran after Trump torn the JCPOA deal. A few days later the Iranian Brigadier Gem. Soleimani was assassined by CIA drone in Baghdad. Japan should have learnt a lesson, your master won't let you broker any deal or any day in middle east affairs. Being a puppet has no actions if without someone pulling the strings, keep remember that !

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

ConnectCrafterOct. 18 08:57 pm JST

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was "some gap" between Tokyo and Washington's position on the crisis and that Japan was "walking a fine line" in responding to events while maintaining its interests in the region.

As there should be. America created this mess with its policy in the Middle East. It was America that backed a tyrant in Iran from 1950 to 1979.

Even if you are 60 years old and able to remember the Shah, chances are the average Iranian is not.

It was America that created Al Qaeda.

Complete nonsense. Just because some members were former allies of the US doesn't mean the ideological origins of their movement or their continued support are American.

It was America that attacked Iraq in 2003 and its

Many Iraqis and others in the region are glad Saddam Hussein is gone.

America’s love of Israel that is causing this mess.

 So that might explain Jordan and Egypt's issue with America, except both recognize Israel now. How does that explain Iran's grievance culture thousands of miles away?

America made its hamburger, America should eat it.

I think you should stop trying to make countries act against their national interest.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"In the eyes of ordinary people in Arab countries, Japan may be following the U.S. footsteps, and that could bring about some consequences for Japan," said Hosaka.

Japan is following the right path then.

Every country should be united in presenting the message that burning babies alive, murdering children, the elderly and disabled, and massacring civilians is not acceptable, is deplorable, and Israel has the obvious right to defend itself and to seek out and exterminate any group or supporter of that group that endorses mass murder.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Japan should be pushing for UN resolution 194 with the 1974 template which called for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

When you have 10 of million of angry Arabs and Muslims,this is recipe for international mayhem

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It means stay neutral and dont go putting the interests of the US warmachine ahead of the Japanese people again.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Chabbawanga: Actually if your country is being an ally of U.S. then your country cannot stay neutral or being neutral in some important issue, especially this one the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Otherwise your country will be sanctioned.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites