The Kremlin stated on Monday that Japan’s stance advising its citizens to avoid travelling to Russia reflects Tokyo’s increasing alignment with “the collective West.” The Kremlin also expressedinvisi that Japan’s leadership appears uninterested in developing ties with Moscow.
Travel Advisory and Diplomatic Tensions
The Kyodo news agency reported that Muneo Suzuki, a veteran Japanese lawmaker known for advocating close ties with Russia, was visiting Moscow for talks with government officials despite the advisory. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reiterated that a government advisory is in place urging nationals, including legislators, to avoid travel to Russia.
When asked about Suzuki’s visit, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that no contacts were planned between Suzuki and the Kremlin. He suggested that Japan’s leadership is pressuring citizens who want to improve ties with Russia from visiting the country.
Kremlin’s Response
“It is clear that Tokyo is dominated by figures who are not in favour of developing bilateral relations,” Peskov said. “Unfortunately, the current leadership of Japan has expressed solidarity with the unfriendly, for Russia, actions of the collective West, and this cannot but be detrimental to our bilateral relations.”
Peskov further commented on Japan’s attempts to pressure those who hold different views and seek to establish contacts with Russia, adding, “Unfortunately, the leadership of the country (Japan) does not limit itself to this attitude towards our country and tries to pressure those who share a different point of view and try to find ways to establish contacts.”
Historical Context
Tokyo and Moscow have long been embroiled in a territorial dispute over four islands off the coast of Japan, an issue that has prevented the countries from formally concluding a peace treaty since the end of World War II. This ongoing dispute continues to strain relations between the two nations.
With Inputs from Reuters
