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Japanese officials have reaffirmed that maintaining bilateral relations with Russia remains important, while reiterating Tokyo's criticism of Moscow's actions in Ukraine. The statements came after Muneo Suzuki, a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), visited Moscow and called for lifting Japanese sanctions on Russia.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters that "Russia is Japan's neighbor. And we consider it important to properly maintain bilateral relations." Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara also acknowledged that maintaining contacts with Russia as a neighboring state remains important for Japan, adding that "in general, in terms of foreign policy, we will continue to act based on what is in our national interests."

Coverage Comparison

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recognizes the importance of ties with Russia and believes the two countries must restore dialogue, according to Suzuki, who spoke with her before leaving for Moscow. "Ms. Takaichi said that she is very well aware of the importance of Japan-Russia ties," he said at a meeting with Grigory Karasin, head of the Russian Federation Council Committee on International Affairs.

Suzuki traveled to Russia in an effort to improve relations between the two countries. During his visit from May 3 to 6, he met with Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers Andrey Rudenko and Mikhail Galuzin. Over the past four years, the lawmaker has regularly met with these officials, as well as Russian Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev. Suzuki has consistently advocated for lifting sanctions against Russia and restoring Japanese-Russian relations. He advised former prime ministers Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga on relations with Russia.

Key Claims

  • The Japanese government declined to comment on Suzuki's remarks about lifting sanctions. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said he would "refrain from commenting on the private statements of individual members of parliament."
  • Kihara criticized Russia's actions in Ukraine and said Japan imposed sanctions in close cooperation with the international community, primarily the G7 countries.
  • Motegi also voiced criticism of Russia over its actions in Ukraine, in the context of commenting on Suzuki's remarks about a possible ministerial meeting.
  • Suzuki said the two sides were open to holding a meeting between their foreign ministers at the ASEAN summit in Manila in July, if the Japanese government requested it. However, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova later said Moscow had not received any requests from Tokyo regarding high-level contacts on the sidelines of international events but was ready to consider them.
  • Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said on May 11 that the government currently has no specific plans for contacts with Russia through the Foreign Ministry, including a meeting between the top diplomats.
  • Since 2022, Japan has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia, curtailing bilateral economic relations. In response, Russia suspended consultations with Japan on the issue of a peace treaty and withdrew from negotiations on joint economic activities in the southern Kuril Islands, and trips there by former Japanese residents have ceased.
  • Suzuki expressed a negative view of Japan adopting "cold ties" with Russia at the request of former US President Joe Biden, and said he very much wanted to restore Japan-Russia relations to the state they were in under Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin.