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The government of Japan has reportedly signed again on the participation of the Algeria-backed Polisario militia’s in its summit with African countries due in Yokoham from 20 to 22 August 2025.
This is not the first time that Japan takes such a risky move with serious political implications. It is very likely to strain relations with Rabat as it comes as the U.S. Congress is considering a legislation to designate the Algeria-backed polisario separatist group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
The United States, Russia, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey and many other countries have all rejected the participation of the Polisario separatists in their summits with African leaders.
Many analysts are wondering why Japan does not follow in the footsteps of these countries which took a clear stand on the Polisario and avoided grey zones.
Allowing for the umpteenth time a non-state entity to participate in an international event along with sovereign States recognized by the United Nations can no longer be seen as a mere diplomatic blunder or an act of laxism.
During the past Japan-Africa development summits and following Morocco’s protests, Tokyo had said that it does not recognize the Polisario’s self-proclaimed SADR entity, affirming that its presence does not mean Japan recognizes it.
Japan had also repeatedly said it had not invited the Polisario, blaming the African Union. But Tokyo could have simply barred the separatists’ entry into the country as did some of its neighboring countries such as China, South Korea and Russia.
It is very hard to understand Japanese position. On the one hand it says it does not recognize the Polisario, but on the other hand it gives the enemies of Morocco an international platform to fuel their propaganda.
Japanese dual policy is raising questions on whether Tokyo is testing Rabat’s patience or trying blackmail to get its part of the pie. One should bear in mind that the Sahara issue is the prism through which Morocco views its international partnerships.
It’s time for clarity, not ambiguity as Morocco is emerging as a global competitive industrial hub. Time has also come to distinguish between friends and foes amid a growing international consensus spearheaded by the United States, UK, and France for closing definitively the Sahara issue this year.
Japan needs to pick a side in the new regional & international geopolitical landscape. Strategic ambiguity is no longer an effective policy and today it does not payoff!
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