Syria, So What?

The situation of Syrian civil war is facing serious moment. The United States and some European countries are preparing for military solution against undeniable violence with chemical weapons. U.S. pointed President Bashar al-Assad’s regime as the suspect of that inhumane deed on Syrian people, while Russia accused anti-Assad protesters of using those weapons. In this crucial moment in Middle East, Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, is in Djibouti to enhance energy security of Japan.

News media in Japan reported Wednesday morning that U.S. was ready to take military action on Syria, supposed attack should be by cruising missiles from U.S. vessels deployed Mediterranean Sea, and European countries including Germany adding to the United Kingdom and France are supporting U.S. decision. U.S. has informed anti-Assad protesters organization of its intention for military attack. It will be done as soon as on Thursday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said Japan was going to watch the situation with great concern, keeping communication with related countries, at the press conference on Tuesday. On Japan’s response to suspicious use of chemical weapons by Assad administration, Suga just commented that he would wait for the result of investigation by the United Nations. At that time, assault on U.N. delegation motorcade in Damascus was already reported in Japan.

Abe is on his round trip to Middle East and Africa, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Djibouti and Qatar. Purposes of his trip were to make energy business sure with those countries and to persuade them on Japan’s growing role on security of that area. To deal with piracy in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Abe emphasized Japan’s role in the area in his speech to the member of Japan’s Self-defense Force stationing in Djibouti. “Our nations greatly expect and appreciate to your efforts. International community also respects you,” said Abe.

Showing wait-and-see standpoint of him, Abe did not make clear of his attitude on Syria issue. It is unclear how Japan will respond to possible military attack on Syria by U.S. and European countries. For him, the most workable bilateral relationship with neighbor countries is that with Russia. Expecting a major update in summit talk with President Vladimir Putin next month, Abe does not want to make things complicated by strongly supporting U.S. Japan does not have such a great role in security of Middle East as Abe likes to appeal.