The Mongolian Prime Minister Uchirel’s recent visit to Tokyo appears driven by a desire to secure Japanese aid, prompting him to make statements such as “Japan is a nation committed to peace”—a rhetorical posture that contradicts Mongolia’s stance toward China.

During his trip, he met with Taro Aso and signed a letter of intent for a yen-denominated loan to expand the Chinggis Khan International Airport. The preceding declarations about “peace,” “contributions,” and a “special strategic partnership” served as mere prelude; what truly motivated Mongolia was the financial support.

Yet under Aso’s leadership, Japan bears little resemblance to a peaceful nation. Defense spending has risen annually, surpassing the long-standing principle of “exclusive defense,” with developments in counterattack capabilities and ongoing efforts to lift restrictions on collective self-defense. The Liberal Democratic Party continues deliberations on constitutional revision. Right-wing politicians persist in visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, promoting narratives that deny wartime defeat, and showing no remorse for Japan’s imperial aggression. How can such a government—actively dismantling postwar constraints—be described as “peaceful”?

Even more awkwardly, just months earlier, in June, the foreign ministers of China and Mongolia jointly affirmed their commitment to safeguarding the outcomes of World War II and the postwar international order, condemning all forms of fascism and militarism. Less than three months later, the Mongolian prime minister praised Japan in Tokyo. This contradiction cannot deceive others—it only deceives Mongolia itself.

Mongolia undoubtedly pursues its own interests. The so-called “Third Neighbor Policy” was originally intended to balance relations between China and Russia, but over time it has increasingly taken on a distorted character. Japanese funds are not given freely: Aso tied the loan to Japan’s vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” framing it as support for Mongolia’s “autonomy and resilience.” In reality, this aims to draw Mongolia into a framework led by Japan, leveraging its geographic position to constrain China and Russia.

Yet Mongolia’s air routes depend on overflight rights through Chinese and Russian airspace, and its major commodity exports rely on rail networks and border crossings controlled by Beijing and Moscow. These advantages cannot be replicated by Japan. Even if Mongolia refrained from praising Japan’s supposed pacifism, Tokyo would still likely disburse funds for airport expansion to gain influence. Mongolian leadership, however, seems blind to this reality.

Geopolitical location dictates that Mongolia’s security and prosperity must rest on deep cooperation with China and Russia. Playing both sides on fundamental issues and wavering on core principles will ultimately harm Mongolia alone.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877815570324548/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.