Japanese Version of Don Quixote

A nation with the largest land still lives in the previous century. Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested brinkmanship with nuclear weapon to the world, revealing his hidden intention of putting nuclear weapons on operational mode in the time of unilateral annexation of Crimea last year. One of the former Prime Minister of Japan visited Crimea earlier this month, leaving advices of self-restriction behind, with his firm belief in love and friendship. Sadly enough, or happily maybe, his visit produced nothing.

Putin’s announcement was that he considered use of nuclear weapons in the process of Crimea annexation. “We were ready for it,” told Putin to the question of possibility for putting the nuclear weapons in operational status, in case the situation in Crimea would go negative against Russia, in TV interview. One who understands a little about international politics could have understood that it was not a past story, but the future one. Putin intimidated the world that he would be willing to use nuclear weapon, if Ukraine coping with the Western nations would start to regain Crimea.

Former Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, could not understand the context. He visited Crimea for three days in the middle of this month. He stood on the side of Russia in the annexation issue and told “The annexation was democratic,” inviting criticisms from the world. Most Western media reported his comment as “not understandable.”

Russia did neither welcome nor ignore him. Although he could meet with the Speaker of the Lower House in Moscow, Putin did not save time for him. Russian media ridiculed him with stories about how he was treated in Japanese media. “Hatoyama may really be settling in Crimea,” reported local media in Crimea, when he indicated a possibility of immigration to a report of possible confiscation of his passport by Japanese official.

Hatoyama has actually been known as interested in the bilateral relationship between Japan and Russia. But he stepped down in nine months as Prime Minister, leaving no legacy in diplomacy with Russia. His failure in relocation of Futenma Marine Airbase impressed Japanese people of his label as a novice. He has been dubbed as “alien” with his unpredictable behavior. Most people in Japan expect him to get back his home planet as soon as possible.