Go Ito

Inserted 3 years ago

“The wording of this statement is surprising in its strength, particularly from Japan's perspective as Tokyo generally prefers to take a more delicate or diplomatic approach. I would have to say that this is quite unprecedented. But it is also clear that there has been a lot of frustration within the Japanese government that Beijing is effectively ignoring the international community's appeals for moderation and concern at the economic, diplomatic and military power that they are using in the region. That has less impact on Japan, of course, but it does enable Beijing to exert a lot more influence over smaller and less developed nations in the region.”

Taiwannews

Professor of international relations at Tokyo's Meiji University