Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at a news conference on June 23. (Takeshi Iwashita)

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his "understanding" of the U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, in sharp contrast to his criticism when Israel launched similar attacks less than 10 days earlier. 

“The U.S. response demonstrates its determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons while seeking to calm the situation as soon as possible,” Ishiba said at a news conference on June 23. 

When Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities and other sites on June 13, Ishiba strongly condemned the military action, saying, “This is totally unacceptable.”

As for why the Japanese government’s attitude toward the United States contrasts with that of Israel, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi explained at a news conference on June 23 that the situations differ. 

“Even after the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran began, (the United States) has continued to seek dialogue with Iran,” Hayashi said.

Meanwhile, Ishiba on June 23 encouraged the resumption of talks between the United States and Iran to resolve the nuclear issue.

“I strongly urge that the path of dialogue be resumed,” he said. 

The Japanese government’s understanding regarding the U.S. attack on Iran is believed to be in consideration for its major ally and also for the fact that Japan is negotiating tariff reductions with the administration of President Donald Trump. 

However, Japan’s assessment of the attack on Iran has changed dramatically between Israel and the United States and it is unlikely to escape criticism as practicing a “double standard” diplomacy. 

When asked if he thought the U.S. attack on Iran was justified under international law, Ishiba said, “(Japan) is not in a position to accurately grasp the details of the facts.”

Japan has called for China and Russia to abide by the “rule of law” amid China's maritime advances in the East China and South China seas and Russia's war against Ukraine. It could similarly condemn the United States for violating international law as well in its attack on Iran. 

However, a source close to the Foreign Ministry, said, “The Japan-U.S. relationship would collapse if we said that Japan disapproves of the U.S. actions.”

With tariff negotiations continuing, the Japanese side is clearly eager to avoid irking Trump.

However, such a response by Japan could be seen as adopting a double standard, changing its attitude on the issue of the norms of international law depending on the country with which it is dealing with.

(This article was written by Kei Kobayashi, Azusa Kato and Yoshiyuki Komurata.)

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