On Japanese principles, part 2

It so happened that the first interview of the new Ambassador of Japan in Ukraine Shigeki Sumi, which he gave to The Day on November 12, was then sent for clearance to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sumi explained it by the tradition requiring the ambassador’s first interview to be always cleared by the ministry. It is clear that the procedure took a lot of time. Our readers had opportunity to read the already cleared part of the interview earlier, as we were allowed to publish it in our No. 74. We learned lately at the Embassy of Japan that the rest of the interview was cleared for publication as well. We would like to note that the text was not abridged in the slightest, so we are pleased to offer you the second part of the interview with the ambassador of Japan, who has begun to actively implement his  working plan for our country. For instance, he visited not just Chornobyl, but the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk as well, and disbursed a grant to assist our country.

Some media reported that your country has abandoned pacifism and this is attributed to the fact that the Japanese government took almost a half-century ban on arms exports. Is there any link or some connection with recent actions of Russia in Crimea?

“Let me state clear: Japan never changed our policy of being peace-loving nation. But at the same time you have to realize that you cannot get peace just by shouting peace. You need action. So, what did Japan do in recent years? It put Japan on the place where it can play more positive role. For example in the UN we   have peacekeeping operation. Japan started to participate in peacekeeping operation in 1993 after Iraqi invasion of Kuwait crisis. Before that was unthinkable that Japan sends peacekeepers to UN peacekeeper operation. During gulf crisis Japan was very much criticized for only sending money not people. So, we started to have peacekeeping participation.

“But then we had sort of problem on interpretation of constitution. It prohibits to help other military unless Japanese peacekeepers are also under attack. That’s why we needed to review our old interpretation of constitution. Now under new interpretation we can help Ukrainians staying in the same area. And that is not change of basic policy which says that we contribute ourselves to peace in the world through peaceful means.”

As you probably know, Ukraine is seeking to obtain the status of the major non-NATO ally. Your country has such status. What does it mean? Can you say that this status really guarantees security of your country and its territorial integrity?

“Japan has security treaty with US under which United States is obliged to help Japan once Japan is under attack. This peace treaty worked very well for the time of Cold war and nowadays. We hope that China will play constructive role in the region of eastern Asia. But unfortunately their military expansion is threatening not only Japan, but also Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia. And having this treaty with US I think Japan have many leverages to counter this kind of military expansion of China.”

After visit to Japan chief editor of Den Larysa Ivshyna proposed for Ukrainians formula of Japanese success “Identity plus Modernization.” It is interesting to hear from you how Japanese succeed in combining tradition and cultural foundation, the history of modern processes and new technologies.

“I think the good character of Japan is – we never reject anything before we have not tried it. Of course after we tried something that we feel strange we will reject it. That is one reason why we are keeping our traditions at the same time accepting Western modernization in past 150 years.”

Do you see any similarities between our two nations? Ukrainians also do not take anything without trying.

“Ukrainian traditions are based on European tradition more correctly it is more sort of Slavic tradition. But now Ukrainian people look also to Asia. I know in Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv, Japanese food is very popular. Some people do study Japanese language or Japan with deep understanding but it is very limited. Still I think many people in Ukraine after collapse of communist regime started to test Western democracy. But if Ukrainian people started to look a bit more to the Asia I think that will also help Ukraine for further modernization. Of course for Ukraine it is important to learn Western experience from EU member state. Ukrainian people can learn a bit more from Asia experience, not only just from Japan, but China, Korea or ASEAN member countries. They are also making great economic development in the past 20-30 years. It is miraculous. There is something that can be learned.”

Mr. Ambassador, what goals have you set for yourself on this mission to Ukraine?

“First my instruction from the government is to stand by people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine, to work together with people when they are really facing unprecedented crisis. And at the same time I should learn Ukrainian culture. I like building, architecture and opera and ballet. So, I am very happy being in Ukraine because it provides me with those sorts of things that I am interested in. Through this I hope further bring people of Ukraine and Japan together. Although Ukraine offers a lot in touristic ways, it is unfortunately still very little known to the people of Japan. Because I think very few people have ever been to Kyiv, Lviv or Odesa. But surely those places provide a lot of cultural, historic and artistic interest to people of Japan. We’d like to bring more Japanese people to Ukraine and also bring more Ukrainian people to Japan so that they both have better understanding.”

Maybe Kyiv or Lviv should be included in tours which Japanese do to European capitals?

“Exactly. Many Japanese guidebooks include Ukraine in the section of Russian guidebook. But now I am talking to our publishing companies which publish Ukrainian guidebooks to include Ukraine in Eastern Europe as Poland or Hungary. So, I hope people are getting more understanding what Ukrainian people do, where they are geographically, historically, and culturally.”

Problems of Chornobyl and Fukushima brought our countries closer. On the one hand, we are grateful for the assistance of Japan in the aftermath of Chornobyl accident and Ukraine, on the other hand, shared her experience following the accident at Fukushima. How is cooperation developing in this area?

“I understood what Chornobyl incident means for Ukraine and for that reason my first trip outside Kyiv was to Chornobyl. That shows that Japanese government pays the great attention to Chornobyl. I know you need new shelter to cover remnants of the fourth reactor to which Japan makes big contribution.

“After Fukushima we said that we have the same problem and understand what such accident means. That is the case for Ukrainians and Japanese. It is not just reading or watching. People do feel the problems of Chornobyl after Japanese underwent Fukushima incident. This is not something that happens far away. People do feel this and that is very important.”

And what is the future of nuclear industry of Japan after Fukushima?

“We understand that we need more cautious approach. Being country like Japan which does not have any mineral resources and also being such a big economic power we cannot just rely on so-called reproductive energy. Maybe in future, but it takes really some time. In order to sustain this big Japanese economy we need to use utility of atomic energy.”

This year, the Japanese government announced a package of assistance to Ukraine in the amount of more than 1.5 billion dollars, and planned to give more funds to revive the east of Ukraine. What exactly is done or is planned for the current period?

“Big portion of assistance – 1.1 billion dollars – is given after Maidan on modernization of Bortnychi aeration station. Under green investment scheme Japanese provided metro cars, energy saving technology, and also more than 1,500 fuel-efficient Japanese hybrid vehicles for police.

“Japan signed grant of six million dollars through UNDP which goes to rehabilitation of schools and social services in Donbas area.”

What new programs or initiatives from Japan can really help our country modernize more quickly?

“I think Ukraine has a great chance of doing that now after Maidan. People realized we cannot continue like this without reform. It is not just feeling of limited number of people. No.

“I am not going to lecture you. Ukraine is rich in agriculture and industry. In Soviet era you were one of the leading countries in agriculture and heavy industry. When the communist system collapsed people thought Ukraine could be front runner for the development even compared to Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. But unfortunately it was not the case. When you look at Hungary, Poland they developed more quickly. So, what was happening in Ukraine was something wrong. And that means that Ukraine needs economic reforms and with them Ukraine has a base to develop. You are not starting from the scratch. And of course you have to go through some pains.

“First of all, government should have midterm plan how to balance the payment and income. And also another thing is taxing system which should be reformed with more transparency. And the development of small- and middle-sized companies is also important. Because in Japan 90 percent of business are in small- and middle-sized companies. For example even such companies as Toyota and Nissan are dependent on a lot of small enterprises. In order to develop your economy you need not only big oligarchs, but also small-sized business development.

“Now we are working with Ukrainian government on the investment protection agreement. Unless you convince us that investment in Ukraine is save they – Japanese companies, big and small – will never come. Unfortunately sometimes Ukrainian regulation, taxation law, is changed overnight. And what they are doing today not necessarily is legal tomorrow. That cannot attract investments.”

Mr. Ambassador, working at the UN, you dealt with issues of human security and health. Why, in your opinion, doesn’t mankind have these two really important issues as its priorities? We see constant wars, conflicts, territorial disputes, most of which are resolved through force.

“There are two types of problem conflicts which human being is facing. One is the Ukrainian crisis. It is a sort of traditional crisis of the 19th century. One country invaded another. It is a big issue. That is one problem with which we should deal. Another is new kind of problem which does not have a border: Ebola or Islamic State issue. You cannot contain those two new types of problem by only guarding a border, because those people do not know borders. The only solution is human oriented security. Look why ISIS has such a big sort of power within few months. Because these are people who are really frustrated. Unless you deal with those individuals you cannot stop this kind of movement.

“Even if we are talking about issue of Ukraine the human security concept is applicable. Because if people in the eastern area had been 100 percent happy they would have never fallen into hands of some strange elements. Feeding them, housing them, giving them jobs is very important, so that they not easily become victims of thugs. That is freedom of speech and freedom of expression are also important elements of human security. What I said was just keeping border with military might cannot prevent this kind of penetration. Of course safeguarding border is very important but at the same time to make people satisfied, free and happy. That what human security is to bring.”

Do you share the view that perhaps humanity should have more attentively listen to Churchill Fulton speech, which was actually prescribed receipt of maintaining peace in the whole world by creating international forces under UN?

“Ideally yes. But in reality I do not think it is feasible. Member states will never give up their right to control their own military forces. I think no country will give their sovereignty to other military entity or to UN. Ideally of course it would be good that world government is established. I do not think it is possible, though.”

Mr. Ambassador, what would you like to wish our readers?

“First Ukraine should stand on its own. Japan can work together but this is Ukrainian leaders who make the decision and who stand on their own. So, we will stand by and work together. But that is also the case that Japan faced 120 years ago when it was very poor and started modernization. Japan had two wars – against China and Russia. Western powers had great sympathy with Japan but Japan fought these two wars on its own. So, I        mean you can get sort of assistance but after all this is your issue, your problems, your matter to settle.”

Arigato gozaimasu (Thank you very much).