Trump’s Iran attacks put Japan in tough spot as it emphasizes rules-based order

Japan has found itself in a difficult position amid the United States’ ongoing joint military strikes on Iran with Israel, as Tokyo seeks to balance its strong support for the rules-based global order with its need to maintain its robust alliance with Washington.

After the U.S. and Israel on Saturday unleashed their militaries on Iran — strikes that have killed scores of senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — the Japanese government has been quick to state its position, one that offers a degree of understanding for the attacks.

Addressing the strikes, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi focused Monday on Japan’s “consistent position” that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is “absolutely unacceptable.”