Japan Rules Out Joining US-Led Anti-ISIL Coalition – Foreign Ministry

Japan does not intend to join a military campaign conducted by the US-led coalition against ISIL.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Japan does not intend to join a military campaign conducted by the US-led coalition against the Islamic State or provide the coalition with logistical support, Japanese Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura told Sputnik on Saturday.

“Japan does not intend to participate in the Coalition, which has been conducting military operations against ISIL [IS]. Nor does Japan plan to provide the Coalition with its logistical support for its air bombardment and other military operations against ISIL,” Kawamura said.

At the same time, according to Yasuhisa Kawamura, Japan will step up humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced people.

"Japan for its part will continue to expand and enrich food and other humanitarian assistance for the refugees and the internally displaced people and will fulfill its non-military responsibility in the international community area," Kawamura said.

Japan has been providing humanitarian assistance to refugees fleeing conflicts in the Middle East. In September, Tokyo pledged $810 million in aid to Syrians and Iraqis.

The small island nation is less willing to accept asylum seekers, despite UN calls to do more. Last year, it approved only 11 asylum bids out of thousands that were submitted.