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Japan avoids US-China virus squabbles, offers aid to Iran

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi speaks during the Japan-China-South Korea Foreign Ministers' teleconference at the foreign ministry in Tokyo on March 20, 2020. (AFP)
Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi speaks during the Japan-China-South Korea Foreign Ministers' teleconference at the foreign ministry in Tokyo on March 20, 2020. (AFP)
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20 Mar 2020 01:03:03 GMT9
20 Mar 2020 01:03:03 GMT9

Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: The Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi avoided taking clear sides in U.S.-China virus disagreements but did say that his country was contributing 15 billion yen (about $137 million) to international organizations in support of Iran and countries struggling under international and U.S. sanctions with outbreaks.

Although China and the U.S. have blamed each other for alleged roles in the spread of the disease, the Japanese minister declined to point fingers, saying that various studies were underway to ascertain the source and route of the infection.

While officials in the U.S. have accused China of suppressing information relating to the virus and hampering international response, some in China have accused the American military of bringing the virus to China in the first place. However, Motegi did not express support for either accusation.

“What we need now is international cooperation,” he said. “We believe that taking internationally coordinated measures will prevent the worldwide spread of this coronavirus, and we believe that the United States and China will be more stable in such a situation.”

On a related note, the minister also did not take sides about what the virus should be called. The disease has been referred to as the “China virus” or “Wuhan virus” by some American government officials, terminology that has been defended by President Trump based on the origin of the outbreak. Some, though, have voiced concerns that such titles invite prejudice.

But Motegi said that it would not be a good thing if he weighed in on the difference of opinion and wouldn’t say whether a particular name was right or wrong.

He did, however, say that Japan was contributing 15 billion yen, or about $137 million, to help support Iran and neighboring countries as they deal with outbreaks. The money is being provided via international organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF.

“In an era of global human movement, international cooperation is extremely important if efforts in each country and region are not enough,” he said.

As for humanitarian aid to countries subject to international sanctions, such as North Korea, the minister said that he believed aid would be given if it could be done in a way that would not conflict with U.N. resolutions.

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