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[Does Japan really stands with Hong Kong ?]
As a close neighbour of Hong Kong, Japan has been watching the Hong Kong Protests reveal China's tyrannical imperialism from up close and mixing raising concerns about erosion of human rights and stern silence. Why ?
As a close neighbour of Hong Kong, Japan has been watching the Hong Kong Protests reveal China's tyrannical imperialism from up close and mixing raising concerns about erosion of human rights and stern silence. Why ?
First let's have a look at the HK-JP relationship. Hong Kong acts as a gateway to Chinese market as it does for so many other countries. But beyond the good commercial ties the relations between HK and JP have more depth than with most other countries https://twitter.com/nagystephen1/status/1177373467743621120
Probably in part because of shared history with the dark period of (1941-1945) Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. In the brighter days of the modern era that relationship has deepened mainly thanks to, now imprisoned, @chowtingagnes, the de facto Hong Kong Ambassador in Japan.
Her proficiency in Japanese and activism led her to earn a good popularity in the country, so much as to be known as "The Goddess of Democracy". Her arrest triggered an official response of the Japanese government. https://twitter.com/ShibaniMahtani/status/1333599427831934978?s=20
Japan even went out of its way to personally condemn Beijing, in reaction to the NSL legislation NPCSC approval, without signing on the G7 statement, a move that makes little sense besides showing zeal and that wasn't well received by the rest of the G7. https://twitter.com/japantimes/status/1270639246282502145?s=20
All of this triggered a long-lasting, great support from Japanese population towards the Hong Kong cause for self-determination. On the government side, time seemed to have given them another point of view on the matter that could benefit them.
Japan economy has been stagnant for some time now and some of their largest investors are getting picked on for their poor decision making resulting in big losses. https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-posts-9-billion-loss-for-year-hit-by-poor-tech-investments-11589787762
With Covid-19 crisis, Hong Kong's fight has also stagnated and international community has switched on a refugee plans solution to answer to the crisis. Japan has boarded that train as well but with a little twist as they plan to pick and choose refugees https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-fires-up-plans-to-scout-Hong-Kong-talent-for-financial-hub
Tokyo has made very clear their intent to develop as the next financial Hub in Asia and for this they'd need to dramatically step up their game. Intent that would even go as far as to replace Hong Kong in that gateway to Chinese market role. https://twitter.com/Portello16/status/1333053773325996037?s=20
In that optic, former PM Abe started trying to play both side by trying to get closer to Beijing as he's pushing to bring back investors from HK to Japan. https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-woos-hong-kong-business-as-abe-cools-to-china-11592479725
Now-PM Suga is following the same path and Beijing seems to be offering some kind of conditional olive Branch to Tokyo as they wish for "good cooperation" without forgetting the G7 statement thing nor the territorial claims. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-china-idUSKBN28509G
Suga seems to be holding the line as he reaffirms concerns about Hong Kong but one can only wonder as Hong Kong's fall would definitely benefit greatly Tokyo, especially as they're actively working in swiftly reforming to increase competitivity https://www.wsj.com/articles/japan-woos-hong-kong-business-as-abe-cools-to-china-11592479725
They sure still show concerns, especially now that they finally realize that Taiwan, which was also occupied by Imperial-era Japan but that also has good relationship now in the modern era, is also greatly in danger facing Beijing imperialism. https://twitter.com/WilliamYang120/status/1342465648983646208
Japan's reliance on US also makes their relationship with China more difficult and their interest in Taiwan also relies on strategic matters in SCS. All the while they claim upholding a strong "One China Policy". This political schizophrenia cannot last forever and Japan will
have to commit sooner or later as words do not weight much compared to actions. Japan did failed to act up-to-standard regarding the Hong Kong crisis, and their very late realization about the danger Taiwan is facing doesn't omen any proper action anytime soon.
Can Tokyo steer clear of self-compromission as they're trying to replace Hong Kong since that goal is heavily relying on good relationship with Beijing ?
As the US had appeared to have come to the realization that, as long as the CCP is in its current shape, there cannot be any status-quo that can benefit them, and part of the EU, supported by USA Biden's team, is slowly coming to its senses as well of the risks the CCP presents
as Germany is pushing a dangerous deal with Beijing that would allow them to pursue greater exportations on Chinese market at the price of a whole compromission highway in Europe for Beijing to ride on to takeover critical infrastructures all over the old continent.
Japan seems to be still locked in 2019, thinking that that situation can go back to a pre-HK Protests status quo with a calmer Taiwan Strait while somehow they'd be coming on top with a Tokyo Financial hub by playing their cards right.
Japan must indeed step-up its game very quickly and become aware of what's going on with their neighbours as we don't have time to wait 5 years for them to realize there are gross Human right abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet as well perpetrated by the CCP.
