Accusing Assad

Before the investigation by United Nations finished, Japan made its standpoint clear on Syria crisis. Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, accused Bashar al-Assad regime of its use of chemical weapons against its nations. Although it is inevitable for Japan to back the United States with requirement of alliance, taking one side to support on this issue inevitably complicate foreign relationship of Japan.

“As of the government of Japan, it is highly possible that chemical weapons have used in Syria,” said Abe in his press conference in Qatar, the last destination of his visit to four counties in Middle East and the Horn of Africa. “Use of chemical weapons is not tolerated in any circumstances. Ignoring deterioration of humanitarian situation in Syria, Assad regime is responsible for the consequence in the country,” he insisted.

Although Abe emphasized that Japan would cooperate with international community to improve the situation, there are a few choices left. The Embassy of Japan in Damascus has been closed since March last year, causing the shortage of information about what was going on in Syria. Currently, Japan is not a member of UN Security Council, to which the United Kingdom is considering to submit a resolution to accuse Syria and allow use of force.

The most likely choice left for Abe is blindly following U.S., as his mentor, Jun-ichiro Koizumi, did in the Iraq War in 2003. Koizumi expressed his firm support to U.S. war on terrorism after the September 11 attack, to which President George W. Bush emotionally appreciated. So, the greatest concern for Japan’s foreign affairs so far is what kind of statement Abe is going to deliver when U.S. starts military attack on Syria.

Following alliance requirement may cause negative impact on relationship with others. Supporting rebels and accusing Assad makes Japan choose totally opposite side Russia has been taking. Abe is going to have a summit meeting with President Vladimir Putin next month. It is likely that two leaders will be arguing over Syrian issue, especially military option would have been exercised before the meeting.

Crisis in Syria may affect the internal discussion over collective self-defense right. As long as that is limited to surgical measures for stopping use of chemical weapons, there will not be problems. When it becomes to the war on terrorism, Japan needs to consider joining it. If Japan is going to send the Self-defense Force, there will be an argument whether the force can protect other troops based on the interpretation of the Constitution. That is why the officials of Japanese government are seriously hoping the situation in Syria not to be worsened.