Japanese PM Reiterates Support for Ukraine

The notion that somehow, some way, Vladimir Putin can be turned against the Chinese Communist Party if he’s allowed to swallow Ukraine suffered another blow on Capitol Hill. Several Republicans who still espouse Stupid Idea 101 (not my term; that came from a Heritage Foundation fellow) heard differently from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (ABC).

During his speech to lawmakers, Kishida warned about such threats as he looked to reassure Americans he said were experiencing “self-doubt” and exhaustion in upholding “international order.”

“As I often say, Ukraine of today may be East Asia of tomorrow,” the prime minister said.

“Without U.S. support, how long before the hopes of Ukraine would collapse under the onslaught from Moscow?” he asked. “Without the presence of the United States, how long before the Indo-Pacific would face even harsher realities?”

What Kishida understands (and the Kremlin caucus won’t) is that no one will take seriously America’s pledges to stand up to the CCP if it allows the Communists’ ally in Moscow to seize Ukraine. Kishida has been making this point for over a year now.

The importance of this must be remembered: Japan is arguably the country with the most at risk by standing up to the Chinese Communist Party (the “arguable” part largely coming from how one defines Taiwan). If the GOP’s turn-Vlad-against-Xi theory had any validity, Kishida and his people would be the biggest beneficiary of America leaving Ukraine to get slaughtered.

Instead, he is making it abundantly clear that he sees Ukraine’s fight for freedom as linked to Japan’s own. In doing so, he revealed having a better understanding of the world than many in his Congressional audience.

One can only hope the Speaker takes it to heart and gets on with getting Ukraine funding through the House.