On Japanese principles

Japanese ambassadors to Ukraine traditionally grant their first interview to the newspaper Den. In line with this unwritten tradition, the new chief of Japan’s diplomatic mission in Kyiv, Shigeki SUMI, has also offered to give an exclusive interview to our publication. Before the conversation, Mr. Sumi laid a wreath to the Heavenly Sotnia heroes on Instytutska St. near the Maidan. The ambassador explained this step as follows: “I just wish to express my profound respect for those who sacrificed their lives to bring democracy to Ukraine. Japan firmly believes in democracy, human rights, and a ‘clean’ government. I also did this to express a feeling of solidarity with those who suffered on the Maidan.” Mr. Sumi slightly departed from the ambassadorial tradition to grant the first interview in the Japanese language. He has an excellent command of English. The explanation is that his previous two missions were at the UN and in Bahrain. Knowing this, Den seized the opportunity and presented the Japanese ambassador with the book Ukraine Incognita. TOP 25 in English, which sheds light on the little-known pages of Ukrainian history. Mr. Sumi accepted the gift with thanks and promised to read this book in order to understand better the ongoing processes in this country.

Dear Mr. Ambassador, in your address to Ukrainians posted on the website of the Embassy, you emphasized that, firstly, Japan condemns the “annexation” of Crimea by Russia, which is a violation of all norms of international law and Russia’s military intervention in the eastern Ukraine should be terminated immediately. And secondly, Japan will provide assistance to Ukraine for its emergence as a strong and wealthy European country. We appreciate this position of your country. And on Sunday at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing your Premier Minister Shinzo Abe demanded from Russia to play a constructive role in ensuring the continuation of the truce in Ukraine. Can you tell us about the results or any of the details of this meeting?

“During this meeting Mr. Abe clearly said to Mr. Putin that Minsk agreement should be observed. He also expressed concern about the ‘election’ that took place in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region which complicated the situation further. So, based upon the situation he urged Russia to play a constructive role in the complete fulfillment of the cease-fire agreement and improving the situation on the ground.”

In your opinion, what further steps can be taken by Japan and the West in general that Russia started to fulfill all points of Minsk protocol and eventually returned to international standards?

“Of course we should continue to be firm. I mean we should not compromise our position. No matter how long it takes we should stand firm. At the same time, together with other countries Japan continues to help Ukrainian government and people to firmly support the stability of Ukraine. However, Japan believes that for Ukraine the best way to resist this is to be rich and strong. That is very important.”

Whether in such circumstances Putin should be present at the summit of G20, because how then can we say that he is isolated, as is often claimed in the West? [Interview was taken on November 12.]

“To continue dialogs with Russia is important. We have never said that we should cut off the dialog with Russia. Unless we convince Russia we cannot see any possible settlement. This APEC summit in Beijing provided good sort of opportunities for everybody to convey strong message to President Putin. From this point of view, we do not support the cancellation of invitation to President Putin for this G20 meeting either.”

But after “annexation” of Crimea there were a lot of statements that Putin should be isolated by West…

“I do not think isolation would change his mind. As you know Japan also imposed sanctions against Russia. However it does not mean that we should stop having contacts with Russia. As I said, unless we convince President Putin to play a more constructive role we cannot settle this issue peacefully. Nobody wants war, nobody wants conflict but to settle this issue through diplomatic channel. Together with the effects of the sanction I hope the dialogs will lead to positive end.”

There are reports that during this meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin preparations for Putin’s visit to Tokyo at a time “suitable next year.” Does this mean that there is some progress on islands dispute – or in other words north territory?

“It is the firm position of the Japanese Government that it will energetically continue negotiations with Russia based on basic policy of concluding a peace treaty with Russia through the resolution of the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands. Based on the joint declaration we are promoting the negotiations toward finding mutually acceptable solutions.”

Does this mean that you will sign the treaty if Russia gives you back two islands as Khrushchev promised in 1956?

“As I explained, concluding a peace treaty with Russia through the resolution of the issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands is Japanese basic policy.”

Dear Mr. Ambassador, preparing to talk with you I saw your interview in Gulf Weekly, where you said: “Going to Ukraine is both an honor and a challenge and I’m very proud to, maybe, play a small part in helping in the current situation. I hope not only for peace, but also for justice; peace is easy, justice is difficult.” Can you tell us what steps you would like to undertake?

“What I meant there it easy to say peace, peace. It is sort of rhetoric. But you should not forget about justice. You should focus on both. Peace should prevail of course but you cannot compromise principles. That is a justice because Crimea is part of Ukraine and the eastern part as well is part of Ukraine. You cannot accept secession of Crimea or intervention in the eastern Ukraine. That’s why I said that people sometimes say: peace, peace, but you should not forget justice or principles of international community cannot be compromised. That’s what I meant to say.”

But you mentioned some steps that you undertake in Ukraine.

“First. No matter what happened you cannot compromise principles on which we do stand, for example, the integrity of territory. If we do have these principles then policy that comes out is based on these principles. We should never compromise the principles, that’s why we imposed sanctions against Russia and we do provide huge economic assistance to the people of Ukraine. So, policy is important and at same time dialogs with Russia are also very important to settle this issue through diplomatic channels and through peaceful means.”

Some experts believe that Putin is creating the Eurasian Union based on anti-Western ideology that is characterized by intolerance, similar to the Islamic State, and therefore, perhaps not coincidentally, US President from the podium of the UN has described Russian action as one of the three main threats to the world. What does Japan think about this?

“What Russia did is challenge against the international laws and norms on which the international community is based. Japan believes that it cannot be tolerated. If we look over this the whole international system on which we are based would collapse. Therefore we cannot compromise our position over this issue.”