Heavily dependent on oil from the Middle East, Japan has been keen to encourage stability. But there are limits to what Japan's soft power push can do in the region.
Through a dirty, misty morning haze, Ajloun castle rises up over the north Jordanian town of the same name. In a cold classroom, a pair of Japanese teachers lead a class of five and six year-olds through a song well known to any Japanese child. "Ito maki maki," they sing. "Ito maki maki. Hite hite. Ton ton ton."
(The Diplomat)
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