Japan urges China to make sure Tibet crackdown does not affect 2008 Beijing Olympics; Iran reassures Japan of oil supplies
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  • The Japanese government has expressed its concerns over the incidents in Tibet and has asked the Chinese government to ensure that the violent incident does not affect the August 2008 Beijing Olympics. In a moderately worded statement, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura urged the Chinese government to make certain that “the crackdown in Tibet doesn’t cause further causalities in Tibet.” Mr. Komura, further stated that Japan "is extremely concerned and keeping a close watch on developments” in Tibet1.

    On the bilateral front, the Japanese government has received an assurance from Iran that despite fresh UN sanctions it would continue to supply both oil and gas to Japan. Abbas Araghchi, the newly appointed Iranian ambassador to Tokyo, said that “the sanctions have nothing to do with our oil and gas industry” and confirmed that “we have been an oil supplier for Japan and will remain a reliable supplier for Japan in the future.” It is important to mention here that Iran is the fourth largest oil producer in the world2.

    A Japanese defence ministry official made a bold suggestion that the self-defence forces (SDF) could take action and invoke a special law on situations surrounding Japan in case of developments in the Taiwan Straits. Many in Japan feel that the Taiwan crisis may deepen especially because of the forthcoming referendum on the island about application for UN membership. However, this opinion was negated by the Chief of the Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura who said that “a situation involving Taiwan does not mean that the law on contingencies in areas around Japan will be applied automatically at all.” He added that “as a matter of course, the SDF must strengthen its guard and take appropriate action before determining a situation as a contingency in areas around Japan3.”

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