The Ukrainian government has apologized over a video shared on Twitter that juxtaposed a picture of the late Japanese Emperor Hirohito to those of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini in describing Nazism and fascism.
“We had no intention to offend the friendly people of Japan,” the Ukraine account said in a Twitter post Sunday. The original video shared on April 1 criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “contemporary ruscism” and used pictures of the three with a description “Fascism and Nazism were defeated in 1945.”
Amid sharp reaction from Japanese Twitter users, Ukraine Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky apologized Monday in a tweet, saying the creator of the video lacked an understanding of history.
The Japanese government said Monday it has formally requested through a diplomatic channel the removal of the picture of the wartime emperor, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, from the video.
Japan readies $48bn package to ease inflation pain
Nikkei – Apr 26
Japan plans to spend 6.2 trillion yen ($48.2 billion) on additional gasoline subsidies, low-interest loans and cash assistance to alleviate the pain of consumers and small businesses facing rising prices, Nikkei has learned.
Tokyo eases some COVID dining restrictions but extends alert
NHK – Apr 22
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to ease its requested limit on the number of people permitted at each table in some bars and restaurants, while continuing to call on the public to stay vigilant against the spread of the coronavirus.
Japan formally revokes Russia’s ‘most favored nation’ status
ABC News – Apr 21
Japan enacted a law on Wednesday formally revoking Russia’s “most favored nation” trade status over its invasion of Ukraine, as Tokyo steps up sanctions amid revelations of Russian military atrocities against civilians.
Japan considers cash handouts for children in low-income families
Japan Times – Apr 21
The government is considering a Y50,000 ($390) cash handout program to help low-income households with children as part of its broader economic package to cushion the blow from rising prices, sources with knowledge of the plan said Wednesday.
Japan to send protective suits, masks and drones to Ukraine
Japan Times – Apr 19
Japan’s Defense Ministry has announced that it will send masks and clothing designed to protect against chemical weapons as well as drones to Ukraine in response to a request from Kyiv, in Tokyo’s latest shipment of defense supplies to the war-torn country.
Japan eyes ‘quasi-refugee’ status for people fleeing conflicts
Nikkei – Apr 17
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Saturday the government is considering creating a more loosely defined refugee category to accept people fleeing conflicts in light of the humanitarian crisis stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
