Hostage crisis strains Japan's Middle East policy
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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