Japan Says Russia Attempted to Change Status Quo With Crimea

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RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED 05.08.2014

Tokyo regards Crimea’s reunification with Russia as a forceful change of the status quo, which is a global issue of concern to the international community, including Asia, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry’s annual White Paper, released Tuesday.

“Following the referendum, Russia 'annexed’ Crimea. The United States, European countries and Japan condemned the referendum as it violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and is in violation of international laws including the Charter of the United Nations, and have refused to recognize the ‘annexation’ of Crimea. Said countries have expressed the view that Russia’s changing of the status quo by force or coercion is a global issue that impacts the entire international community, including Asia,” the paper stated.

The White Paper is an annual report by the Japanese Defense Ministry on the year's main international and local defense issues.

The document, among other things, points out the significance of the US Navy in the Asia-Pacific region as a guarantee of stability in light of the region's worsening security conditions. At the same time, the Japanese Defense Ministry thinks that the issue of national security of one particular country can become a destabilizing factor for the international community.

The Japanese authorities also expressed their concerns over China’s reinforcing its nuclear and missile forces, practical exercises and improving its domestic defense industry.

The paper did not fail to mention that Japan still considers the Kuril Islands “inherent territories of Japan.”

In March, following a referendum, Crimea voted for reunification with Russia, after it refused to acknowledge the new Kiev authorities that came to power as a result of the February 22 government coup in Ukraine.

Topics: Japan

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