Politics and sports are separate? On the foundation of peace, politics and sports should be separate.
Russia has invaded Ukraine !!!
Some TV commentators and celebrities have commented that Ukraine also caused Russia’s invasion. Related to this, some people say that because Japan has Article 9 of its Constitution, it will neither invade neighboring countries nor be invaded by them.
People’s way of thinkings are diverse, and we understand this way of thinking as just one among many diverse way of thinkings.
This is purely our personal opinion, but we cannot understand it because it is completely different from our own way of thinking.
The reasons are as follows. (Of course, we understand that there are people who disagree with the opinions of the following.)
- ・Ukraine is also the cause – It feels like they’re saying it’s acceptable to invade another country by military force if they don’t get their way.
- ・Article 9 of the Constitution – Even after witnessing the invasion of Ukraine, we wonder why this opinion still is expressed. Furthermore, we cannot understand that one TV program stated that “if we do not have the capability to attack enemy nations, they will not attack us either.”
This invasion of Ukraine has triggered a wave of sporting events refusing to allow Russian athletes to participate.
This is not limited to Japan, but we often hear the phrase “politics and sports are separate.”
Regarding this case, is it true that “politics and sports are separate” ?
Do you think Ukrainian athletes whose family members or friends were killed can enjoy sports on the same playing field as Russian athletes ?
Is it a separate issue that Ukrainian athletes go to the battlefield as soldiers to defend their country, while Russian athletes enjoy sports ?
We are not tolerant enough to allow such things.
Of course, political messages like “xxxxx is our territory” should not be brought into the Olympics or sporting events.
Only on the foundation of peace can it be said that “politics and sports are separate”
We believe this statement to be true.
Sports, arts, tourism, private exchanges, and economic ties should be all based on peace.
Regarding this decision in the sports world, what are the opinions of those who criticize it by saying “politics and sports are separate” about the following points?
- ・That political actions include a military invasion
- ・It’s acceptable to military invade countries that do not get their way
- ・The countries with military superiority are the rule, and it’s acceptable for them to declare neighboring countries their own territory and annex them by force
No matter what the situation may be, there is no right to unilaterally invade by military force.
We believe it is only natural that a country that unilaterally destroyed peace should be excluded from connections in sports, arts, civilian exchanges, and economics.
Furthermore, the international community should continue to exert pressure to restore the original state. Even after the original state is restored, I believe some form of penalty should remain in place for a while, because even if the war ends, the people killed will never come back to life.
Our wish is for them to withdraw immediately from the country they invaded.
Political conflict is enough with just verbal exchanges and political retaliation.
What must not be misunderstood is that this is a governmental issue, not a citizen’s issue.
Thanks.
2022/06/28 – 2025/11/26