Ukrainian Ambassador points to Japan’s growing influence in global politics
Ukraine is striving to push Japan into a more global role, Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan, Serhiy Korsunskyi, said in an interview with NV Radio on April 17.
"Japan has immense potential," Korsunskyi stated. "When it takes a serious stance on a matter, it typically brings it to fruition."
He cited Japan's recent support to the Philippines as an example of Japan's evolving foreign policy. "There was a trilateral summit with the Philippines where Japan provided them with coast guard ships," he explained. This cooperation extended to Japan's coast guard units assisting in patrolling the South China Sea—a first for Japan, indicating a significant shift in its regional engagement.
Korsunskyi referred to Japan's strategy as "kaizen diplomacy," which involves small, consistent steps toward achieving broader goals. "The goal is to maintain peace in the region and the world," he noted, emphasizing the importance of showing aggressors that changing the status quo by force is unacceptable.
On April 5, the Japanese government escalated its stance against Russia by expanding sanctions, which now include a wide range of prohibited exports such as steel products, various types of machinery, electrical equipment, and recreational vessels. Additionally, Japan has imposed a ban on the import of non-industrial diamonds from Russia, set to take effect on May 10.
In another move underscoring its commitment to supporting global stability, Japan, along with the United Kingdom, backed a substantial financial package for Ukraine. The World Bank's Board of Directors approved a $1.5 billion Growth Foundations Development Policy Loan to Ukraine on March 26, bolstered by guarantees from Japan and the UK. This financial support is part of broader efforts to sustain Ukraine amidst its ongoing challenges.
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