Japan is not sending a government delegation to the Winter Olympics in China, but does not want to speak of a diplomatic boycott.
The Japanese government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno announced that Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organizing committee for the summer games held in her own country this year, and two other Olympic representatives will be sent to Beijing. However, he did not want to call the decision a diplomatic boycott such as that initiated by Japan’s protective power, the USA. There is “no specific name” for it.
Several countries without government representatives at the games
Nevertheless, Japan’s decision is seen as in line with the actions of the protecting power USA. Countries like Canada and Great Britain are also following the initiative of the US government and are not sending government officials to the games, which will take place in Beijing from February 4 to 20, 2022.
China has been criticized for violating human rights in its dealings with Uyghurs and Tibetans, for suppressing the democracy movement in Hong Kong and for threats against Taiwan. It is considered important that “In China, too, the universal values of the international community such as freedom, respect for fundamental human rights and the rule of law are guaranteed”, Matsuno was quoted as saying.