On Friday, Japan announced that they will expekk eight Russian diplomats and trade officials and will also start to lessen imports of Russian coal and oil to virtually none. The prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, also stated that Moscow should be held accountable for the war crimes that are happening in Ukraine. This comes with a massive ban on other imports such as lumber, vodka, and any future investments in Russia. The country is making sure it knows which said they are on in this war. Along with the ban on imports, Japan is imposing heavy financial sanctions on over 400 individuals, groups. Linked military-linked organizations.
I believe that what Japan is doing is the right decision, though it may come back not in their favor. This is because Japan is not a resource heavy country like that of Russia. Along with the proximity it has to Russia could also not work out the best. But the fact that Japan is taking such a strong stance since it is a rising power just not as strong as some others is good to see. I believe that even though there might be more that could be done, what Japan is doing is something most countries that have some sort of international standing should do. Plus with how bad the Russian economy is it is possible that these sanctions and move from russian imports could really help.
This relates to international relations because it is in Japans national interest to show Ukraine support. Not only does it keep them on the good side of the international system for right now but it goes against what china is doing which could possibly make it an added reason. Though the decrease in imports could backfire because as stated earlier, Japan is a very resource deficient country that relies on Russia for 11% of their coal imports and is one of their top exporters of liquified natural gas and oil. This will affect gas prices like it has in the US and around Europe. Though Japan officials have already thought of this and have already procured alternative sources.