Japan fears Ukraine conflict 'could affect Indo-Pacific region'

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japan has said the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may affect the larger Asia-Pacific region due to China’s expanding economic and military influence.

In a phone call on Saturday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his American counterpart Antony Blinken condemned what they called “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

They “agreed that the impact of the conflict will not be limited to Europe,” with Hayashi warning that “it could affect the Indo-Pacific region, where China is increasingly assertive.”

“It shakes the foundation of the international order,” the two top diplomats said, adding that Tokyo and Washington will “never tolerate attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military intervention in Ukraine on Thursday.

The operation entered its third day on Saturday, and despite Western governments’ claims that Moscow has failed to fulfill its objectives, Russian forces are reportedly bearing down on the capital Kyiv.

Hayashi and Blinken “agreed on the need to appropriately deal with Russia’s actions so as not to leave the wrong lesson.”

The two allies have already announced sanctions against Putin and Russian entities including banks.

The two diplomats also discussed the “need to enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of the bilateral alliance.”

Tokyo and Washington enjoy close bilateral relations cemented by a security pact under which close to 50,000 US soldiers are deployed in Japan.

To counter Chinese influence in Asia-Pacific, the US and Japan along with Australia and India have formed a loose security alliance called the Quad.

According to the US State Department, Blinken also held a phone call with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne to discuss the Ukraine crisis.

Blinken and Payne “underscored their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“They also agreed to continue to coordinate with our allies and partners around the world to impose additional severe costs to ensure those responsible in Russia are held to account for their actions,” the State Department said.