JOURNALISTS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WILL FACE A HEAVIER WORKLOAD
JOURNALISTS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WILL FACE A HEAVIER WORKLOAD
Burak Ersoy – Japan Representative of GJC
Although the world’s agenda has been shaped around the Ukraine crisis at the moment, it seems like journalists in the Asia-Pacific region will face a heavier workload in the upcoming future.
Things are tough for Japan. However, it should not be forgotten that it is a country that managed to become a world power after being the target of 2 atomic bomb attacks in the past and it remains in a strong position within the world political arena.
Russia’s invasion attempt of Ukraine not only dealt a symbolic blow to the unipolar world or so-called “status quo” which is being prevailed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but it also helped us to hear the footsteps of the “alternative” world order that has already been in discussion for a long time. The step of Russian President Vladimir Putin was a harbinger of a change in the regional and bilateral relations, not only in the Russia-USA axis but also among ally countries.
North Korea accelerated its missile program right after Russia’s “special operation” against Ukraine and Pyongyang continued its tests that were described as a “self-defense activity” despite the United Nations sanctions and the intimidating statements of the Japan-South Korea-US coalition.
On the other hand, China and Russia vetoed the resolution to impose more sanctions against Pyongyang submitted by the United States to the United Nations Security Council, giving the signal that “the ranks will get closer” in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, Russia almost broke its ties with Japan, which took a side with the Western world regarding the sanctions imposed on Moscow and supported its closest ally the U.S.
After Tokyo’s sanctions against Moscow, Russia suspended the negotiations on the peace treaty with Japan, which could not be finalized.
As a result, the hope of a diplomatic solution about the four islands that were part of the Kurils which Russia annexed at the end of World War II but Japan claims has disappeared at least for now.
The “Senkaku Islands”, which is one of the main diplomatic issues between Japan and China within the framework of Beijing’s territorial claims, remain a current affair. The Japanese government continues its informal strategic partnership efforts against China through the Quadruple Security Dialogue, also known as QUAD, which includes the United States, Australia, and India. However, Japan is under the security umbrella of the United States and the new “cold war” scenarios are being voiced. Given these premises, it is possible to say with certainty that a challenging security environment awaits Tokyo and there are several domestic issues that the country is facing:
Low birth rate, increasing social security and defense expenditures, depreciation of the Japanese yen against the US dollar, rising prices, labor shortage, increasing energy need, and economic recovery in the post-Covid-19 period…
Although the world’s agenda has been shaped around the Ukraine crisis at the moment, it seems like journalists in the Asia-Pacific region will face a heavier workload soon.
Things are tough for Japan. However, it should not be forgotten that it is a country that managed to become a world power after being the target of 2 atomic bomb attacks in the past and it remains in a strong position within the world political arena.
On the occasion of my first article, I’d like to offer my best regards to all the executives and members of the Global Journalism Council. I’m honored to be a part of the organization. Greetings from Japan.