The
kidnapping of Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa by ISIS has added fuel to
Japanese debates about the country’s international involvement and
constitutional limitations on the use of force. In recent years the
Abe government has been engaged in efforts to loosen the restrictions
in Japan’s post-war pacifist constitution. Tokyo wishes to operate as
a normal state, namely one which has the same range of defense
options as other major powers. Specifically Prime Minister Abe wishes
to pass legislation that will allow Japanese troops to be deployed in combat situation overseas in the name of collective defense (coming
to the aid of Japan’s allies). The recent hostage taking has
added another dimension to the debate.
kidnapping of Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa by ISIS has added fuel to
Japanese debates about the country’s international involvement and
constitutional limitations on the use of force. In recent years the
Abe government has been engaged in efforts to loosen the restrictions
in Japan’s post-war pacifist constitution. Tokyo wishes to operate as
a normal state, namely one which has the same range of defense
options as other major powers. Specifically Prime Minister Abe wishes
to pass legislation that will allow Japanese troops to be deployed in combat situation overseas in the name of collective defense (coming
to the aid of Japan’s allies). The recent hostage taking has
added another dimension to the debate.
Supporters
of PM Abe argue that if Japan had more latitude to deploy its troops,
it could prevent or at least quickly respond to future kidnappings.
Opponents of the government counter that Japan’s efforts at greater
international involvement (aiding U.S. ventures) are to blame for the
ISIS hostage crisis. A more activist Japan courts greater danger by
becoming involved in far-off conflicts; so say Abe’s critics. This
position was voiced by around 100 protesters who gathered outside the prime minister’s residence demanding the government do more to secure
the release of Goto following Yukawa’s murder
of PM Abe argue that if Japan had more latitude to deploy its troops,
it could prevent or at least quickly respond to future kidnappings.
Opponents of the government counter that Japan’s efforts at greater
international involvement (aiding U.S. ventures) are to blame for the
ISIS hostage crisis. A more activist Japan courts greater danger by
becoming involved in far-off conflicts; so say Abe’s critics. This
position was voiced by around 100 protesters who gathered outside the prime minister’s residence demanding the government do more to secure
the release of Goto following Yukawa’s murder
| Kenji Goto (L) and Haruna Yukawa Image Credit: AAP |
The claim
that Japan’s activism in the region spurred ISIS to target Japanese
civilians is not without merit. As part of his ongoing international
campaign to increase Japan’s international profile, Abe has visited
some fifty countries, including states in the Middle East. During a
visit to Cairo Abe explicitly cited ISIS as a threat, while
announcing $200 million in humanitarian aid in support of the
anti-ISIS coalition. A few days later ISIS ransomed Goto and Yukawa
for this exact amount, citing Abe’s pledge as the reason for the
ransom’s price. The short amount of time between pledge of
support and ransom request has some wondering whether Abe’s words
ignited the crisis. Some in Japan are convinced this is the case;
that Japan’s activism in the region spurred ISIS to target Japanese
civilians is not without merit. As part of his ongoing international
campaign to increase Japan’s international profile, Abe has visited
some fifty countries, including states in the Middle East. During a
visit to Cairo Abe explicitly cited ISIS as a threat, while
announcing $200 million in humanitarian aid in support of the
anti-ISIS coalition. A few days later ISIS ransomed Goto and Yukawa
for this exact amount, citing Abe’s pledge as the reason for the
ransom’s price. The short amount of time between pledge of
support and ransom request has some wondering whether Abe’s words
ignited the crisis. Some in Japan are convinced this is the case;
“Abe’s comments obviously provoked them,” says Masato Iizuka, an Islamic
Studies professor at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. “Going
out of your way to call a group of people terrorists and challenging
them is bound to have consequences, and I think the risks, the impact
it could potentially have on Japanese nationals overseas were
underestimated.”
While
Abe’s words do not exist in a vacuum, it would be overly critical to
blame the Prime Minister for the actions of ISIS. Both hostages had
been captured months ago, by a unscrupulous organization. ISIS
captures people with a specific intent, ransom or death; Abe’s words
would not have greatly changed ISIS’ plans for Goto and Yukawa. In
response to such criticism, chief government spokesperson Yoshihide
Suga stated that “it is not at all appropriate to link this
atrocious and contemptible act of terrorism with the Prime Minister’s
visit [to Cairo]” Indeed at times people like Goto and Yukawa
are in the wrong place at the wrong time; such as the ten Japanese
workers killed (among others) in the ill-fated 2013 Algerian hostage crisis.
Abe’s words do not exist in a vacuum, it would be overly critical to
blame the Prime Minister for the actions of ISIS. Both hostages had
been captured months ago, by a unscrupulous organization. ISIS
captures people with a specific intent, ransom or death; Abe’s words
would not have greatly changed ISIS’ plans for Goto and Yukawa. In
response to such criticism, chief government spokesperson Yoshihide
Suga stated that “it is not at all appropriate to link this
atrocious and contemptible act of terrorism with the Prime Minister’s
visit [to Cairo]” Indeed at times people like Goto and Yukawa
are in the wrong place at the wrong time; such as the ten Japanese
workers killed (among others) in the ill-fated 2013 Algerian hostage crisis.
In the
wake of ISIS’ actions, Japanese public opinion is split on whether
Japan should press forward with alterations to the constitution or
become more isolationist. It is important to note that Japan has
faced several hostage situations in the past. Those worried about
recent events further spurring Japan’s abandonment of pacifism need
to take past events into consideration. The hostage-pacifism dilemma
is not a new one for Japan. It is also important to note that Japan’s
reactions to these crises have been neither consistently hawkish nor
pacifist. Those looking for signs of a militant trend will find
inconsistencies.
wake of ISIS’ actions, Japanese public opinion is split on whether
Japan should press forward with alterations to the constitution or
become more isolationist. It is important to note that Japan has
faced several hostage situations in the past. Those worried about
recent events further spurring Japan’s abandonment of pacifism need
to take past events into consideration. The hostage-pacifism dilemma
is not a new one for Japan. It is also important to note that Japan’s
reactions to these crises have been neither consistently hawkish nor
pacifist. Those looking for signs of a militant trend will find
inconsistencies.
| PM Abe talks to reporters about the hostage crisis Image Credit: AP / Kyodo News |
Japan like
most countries is faced by threats from non-state actors. Non-state
actors fall into a legal gray area in international law,
problematizing any response. Here Japan faces the same problem as any
other state. Nor does a commitment to pacifism remove threats against
Japan. In 1977 Japan paid $6 million to free passengers on a plane
hijacked by the terrorists from the Japanese Red Army. In 1996
the Japanese embassy in Lima, Peru was stormed by militants from the
Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA). Many dozens of Japanese
hostages were taken, with the MRTA explicitly citing Japan’s foreign
assistance as the reason it was targeted.
most countries is faced by threats from non-state actors. Non-state
actors fall into a legal gray area in international law,
problematizing any response. Here Japan faces the same problem as any
other state. Nor does a commitment to pacifism remove threats against
Japan. In 1977 Japan paid $6 million to free passengers on a plane
hijacked by the terrorists from the Japanese Red Army. In 1996
the Japanese embassy in Lima, Peru was stormed by militants from the
Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA). Many dozens of Japanese
hostages were taken, with the MRTA explicitly citing Japan’s foreign
assistance as the reason it was targeted.
Unlike in
1977 the Japanese government, after initially seeking a peaceful
resolution, eventually conceded to an armed rescue attempt carried
out by Peruvian commandos. The Lima incident shows that even the provision of economic aid (MRTA argued it was contributing to
inequality in the country) can threaten Japanese citizens overseas. This point is important because a key argument against Japan
normalizing its defense situation is that non-military involvement is
safer and less controversial. As the Goto-Yukawa and Lima incidents
show this is not necessarily the case.
1977 the Japanese government, after initially seeking a peaceful
resolution, eventually conceded to an armed rescue attempt carried
out by Peruvian commandos. The Lima incident shows that even the provision of economic aid (MRTA argued it was contributing to
inequality in the country) can threaten Japanese citizens overseas. This point is important because a key argument against Japan
normalizing its defense situation is that non-military involvement is
safer and less controversial. As the Goto-Yukawa and Lima incidents
show this is not necessarily the case.
| Peruvian commandos shoot at MRTA forces inside embassy Image Credit: special-ops.org |
Not only
government responses but also Japanese media coverage and public
opinion have differed starkly from one hostage crisis to another.
These differences further add to the argument that Japan’s reactions
cannot be viewed in isolation. In 2004 three Japanese hostages (two
humanitarian workers and a photo-journalist) were released and
returned home from Iraq. Upon arrival they did not receive a warm
welcome, being derided as “misguided do-gooders.” The Japanese
media and public criticized them for stupidly venturing into a war
zone and causing problems for the government. The hostages’ families
appeared publicly and apologized to the nation for the inconvenience.
Japanese legislators even announced they would bill each of the hostages $6000 for expenses incurred while freeing them. The three
eventually went into hiding to avoid the public outrage.
government responses but also Japanese media coverage and public
opinion have differed starkly from one hostage crisis to another.
These differences further add to the argument that Japan’s reactions
cannot be viewed in isolation. In 2004 three Japanese hostages (two
humanitarian workers and a photo-journalist) were released and
returned home from Iraq. Upon arrival they did not receive a warm
welcome, being derided as “misguided do-gooders.” The Japanese
media and public criticized them for stupidly venturing into a war
zone and causing problems for the government. The hostages’ families
appeared publicly and apologized to the nation for the inconvenience.
Japanese legislators even announced they would bill each of the hostages $6000 for expenses incurred while freeing them. The three
eventually went into hiding to avoid the public outrage.
Conversely
in 2005, Akihito Saito a Japanese defense contractor, was killed by
militants in Iraq. Saito – a former Japanese soldier and twenty year
veteran of the French Foreign Legion – was praised as a national hero. Saito was held up as a professional protecting Japan abroad.
Media analyst Takesato Watanabe commented on the inconsistency
stating that;
in 2005, Akihito Saito a Japanese defense contractor, was killed by
militants in Iraq. Saito – a former Japanese soldier and twenty year
veteran of the French Foreign Legion – was praised as a national hero. Saito was held up as a professional protecting Japan abroad.
Media analyst Takesato Watanabe commented on the inconsistency
stating that;
| Akihiko Saito Image Credit: Wikipedia |
“The
three Japanese nationals who were abducted [in 2004] were there for
humanitarian reasons, but they were against the war and the policies
of the Japanese government and that is why they were attacked so
severely. Yet Mr Saito is just there for the money and he is
portrayed as a kind of action hero, like a character straight out of a video game”
This
difference seems to support the thesis that Japan exploits hostage
situations to promote militarism. Indeed, during the tenure of PM
Junichiro Koizumi (2001-2006) Japan pursued a more assertive and
pro-military agenda. It seems reasonable to assume that since Abe is
more hawkish than Koizumi, he too would follow the same reasoning in
a hostage situation. The Japanese public however, are taking a
different stance than in 2004/05. Like Saito, Yukawa was killed, yet
Goto enjoys greater sympathy amongst the public despite their similar
plights. Whereas some feel that both men put themselves in harm’s
way; Goto is viewed more favorably because he went to Iraq as a
freelance journalist, whereas Yukawa was a self-described military
consultant and soldier of fortune
difference seems to support the thesis that Japan exploits hostage
situations to promote militarism. Indeed, during the tenure of PM
Junichiro Koizumi (2001-2006) Japan pursued a more assertive and
pro-military agenda. It seems reasonable to assume that since Abe is
more hawkish than Koizumi, he too would follow the same reasoning in
a hostage situation. The Japanese public however, are taking a
different stance than in 2004/05. Like Saito, Yukawa was killed, yet
Goto enjoys greater sympathy amongst the public despite their similar
plights. Whereas some feel that both men put themselves in harm’s
way; Goto is viewed more favorably because he went to Iraq as a
freelance journalist, whereas Yukawa was a self-described military
consultant and soldier of fortune
Hostage
taking prompts reactionary thinking and calls for more security in
any country, not just Japan. Whereas the potential exists for government to use such events to push for security related changes, Japan has not consistently done so. Koizumi and Abe do represent a more assertive trend in Japanese politics, yet given Japan’s varied responses to
hostage situations, such instances cannot be said to be important
drivers of militarist sentiment. Nor does Abe need to resort to
fear-mongering over ISIS. Both the government and the public harbour
ample concern over the rise of China and an ever unpredictable North
Korea to undermine the country’s commitment to pacifism.
taking prompts reactionary thinking and calls for more security in
any country, not just Japan. Whereas the potential exists for government to use such events to push for security related changes, Japan has not consistently done so. Koizumi and Abe do represent a more assertive trend in Japanese politics, yet given Japan’s varied responses to
hostage situations, such instances cannot be said to be important
drivers of militarist sentiment. Nor does Abe need to resort to
fear-mongering over ISIS. Both the government and the public harbour
ample concern over the rise of China and an ever unpredictable North
Korea to undermine the country’s commitment to pacifism.