Japan Quiet on Alleged Killing of Saudi Journalist

October 19, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government has been taking a low-key approach to the alleged murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate-general in Turkey, as all of the countries concerned are very important partners for Tokyo.

The Japanese government hopes that the case will be resolved at an early date to prevent it from negatively affecting its economy and a Group of 20 summit in Osaka, western Japan, in June next year.

"As the case is still under investigation, I would like to refrain from making comments on the issue," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference on Thursday.

"Japan hopes that the issue will be resolved early, in a fair and transparent manner," he said.

Tokyo has been pushing for democracy and human rights, but it has been slow to respond to the case.

"We remain very troubled by the disappearance" of the Saudi journalist, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major countries, including Japan, said in a statement Wednesday, affirming their commitment to protecting freedom of expression and a free press.

The other G-7 members are Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United States. Japan was able to join the statement as it contained weaker phrases than the "grave concern" expressed in a separate joint statement released Sunday by the British, German and French foreign ministers, sources familiar with the situation said.

"Japan is taking a wait-and-see stance and there will be no impact on relations with Saudi Arabia," a Japanese Foreign Ministry source said.

Amid mounting global condemnation of Saudi Arabia over the alleged murder, Tokyo has been attempting to stay neutral in a bid to maintain its friendly ties with the Middle Eastern country, the largest crude oil supplier for Japan.

Japan's economy will be hit hard if tensions in the Middle East rise further and oil prices soar as a result.

When Saudi Arabian King Salman visited Japan in March last year, he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to deepen bilateral economic relations. A Saudi leader is expected to travel to Japan for the G-20 summit.

Japan also maintains friendly relations with Turkey.

The Japanese government aims to wait for the next step by the United States, an ally of Saudi Arabia, informed sources said. Jiji Press