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Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by st4lz on Monday April 03, 2023 @08:59AM (#35422752)
There is a shocking reality of how short-sighted and strategically shallow the opinions of people may be, even very literate ones with unlimited access to information.

There are very long tensions between Japan and Russia about the Kuril Islands, that both countries have a claim on. It is very possible, that the same vague claims used on annexing Crimea today, or Donbas, would be used against Japan, and may not stop there. What is more, Japan is an ally of the United States since WW2, and seems to benefit much both militarily and economically. What is more, another raising power in Asia and growing tensions around Taiwan may have the same consequences for Asia, which may threaten japanese influence in the reqion. We are also seeing proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the threats and blackmail is rising, when deescalation is seen as a sign of weakness.

Usually, being united against common threat is the cheapest strategy, and to pay a few bucks less for oil might turn to be very expensive in the long run. If there would be no punishment for disrespecting international law, the chaos would come.

Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by vegabook on Monday April 03, 2023 @09:07AM (#35422863)
There is indeed a shocking reality of how short-sighted and strategically shallow the opinions of people may be, as amply demonstrated in this comment. You do realize that the US invaded Iraq against international law, right? And that no punishment has yet been forthcoming? Double standards and hypocrisy are what is breaking the coalition around the US, not to mention direct attacks on allies' infrastructure.
Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by st4lz on Monday April 03, 2023 @09:27AM (#35423161)
I don't think events related to what happened in Iraq has any relevance to Japan's view of international relations, or any other democratic society.

The question was about if Japan has any reasons to feel threatened by what happened in Ukraine. My reason is, any democratic society should be, which is not hard to imagine.

The question of "who is more saint" does not have any strategical significance and is clear reflection of russian propaganda. Obviously, nobody is saint. That doesn't make what happened in Bucha less shocking.

[dead]
Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by dang on Monday April 03, 2023 @11:25AM (#35425310)
We've banned this account for posting unsubstantive and flamebait comments.

Please don't create accounts to break HN's rules with. If you don't want to be banned, you're welcome to email [email protected] and give us reason to believe that you'll follow them in the future: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html.

Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by FpUser on Monday April 03, 2023 @09:05AM (#35422837)
>"If there would be no punishment for disrespecting international law, the chaos would come."

The list of "disrespecting international law" is pretty big. The list of punishment is way shorter and highly selective.

Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by st4lz on Monday April 03, 2023 @09:48AM (#35423508)
Could you please list any other war of conquest with that much casualties, armour usage and refugee issue in Europe?

And what punishment are we talking about, voluntary economical sanctions? Those numbers of atrocities, stealing children, mass graves - I still can't understand how the international response is so mild.

Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by bigbillheck on Monday April 03, 2023 @09:56AM (#35423614)
> in Europe?

This is an interesting little bit on the end of that question.

Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by xyzzyz on Monday April 03, 2023 @10:40AM (#35424379)
Also note “of conquest”: presumably, if the purpose of Russian invasion was to just hang Zelensky and institute a regime change with government sympathizing with Russia, and not to annex any territory, that would have been OK too.
Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by st4lz on Monday April 03, 2023 @10:11AM (#35423867)
Why is that?
Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by FpUser on Monday April 03, 2023 @12:38PM (#35426903)
What is so special about Europe?
Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by mcphage on Monday April 03, 2023 @09:58AM (#35423662)
> and strategically shallow the opinions of people may be, even very literate ones with unlimited access to information

The problem with unlimited access to information is that you can find a thousand people arguing for a thousand different opposing things with all that information.

Re:Japan Breaks with U.S. Allies, Buys Russian Oil at Prices... by st4lz on Monday April 03, 2023 @10:30AM (#35424195)
There is nothing wrong about arguing if all the parties are interested in truth. Discourse is a backbone of free people.

In my perspective, there is no doubt about japanese government stance on the matters in Ukraine. And any other non-totalitarian society. I am ready being convinced otherwise.