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Hostage crisis strains Japan's Middle East policy

Content type:: Expert Briefings
Location:: JAPAN
Keywords associated with this article:: Geographic: Japan AP Middle East

Topical: international relations foreign policy security terrorism
ISSN:: 2633-304X
Citation:: Oxford Analytica (2015), "Hostage crisis strains Japan's Middle East policy", Expert Briefings.
https://doi.org/10.1108/OXAN-DB197245

Monday, January 26, 2015

Significance

The threat to kill the two men came on January 20, during a diplomatic tour of the Middle East by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Impacts

Japan's united front with Washington will limit its efforts to portray itself as a neutral and independent party.
This crisis will strengthen Abe's wish for greater Japanese influence in the region, especially the Gulf.
The Middle East will be an arena in Japan's competition with China for influence and resource security.

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