Japan PM Fumio Kishida picks China critic Gen Nakatani to be human rights adviser
- Former defence minister Gen Nakatani has been an advocate for Japan joining other major democracies in imposing sanctions on China over suspected rights abuses
- Japan is in the awkward position of being deeply entwined with China, its largest trading partner, even as it relies on the US for defence as its sole military ally
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has picked a critic of China’s treatment of the Uygur ethnic group to be his aide for human rights issues, a move that could increase friction between Asia’s two biggest economies.
The premier will name former defence minister Gen Nakatani to be his special adviser on human rights issues, a government spokesman told reporters on Monday. The appointment is expected for later this week when a special parliamentary session convenes.
Nakatani, who co-chairs a cross-party group of lawmakers on China policy, has been an advocate for Japan joining other major democracies in imposing sanctions on China and others over suspected human-rights abuses. He has been drafting legislation to make such actions happen.
“I hope to use the experience and knowledge I’ve gained as a politician who has worked intensely on issues involving human rights,” Nakatani told reporters on Monday after meeting Kishida.
Last year, Nakatani was among a group of senior lawmakers from eight democracies, including the US, who launched a cross-parliamentary alliance to counter what they said was the threat China’s growing influence poses to global trade, security and human rights.