Tokyo should take first step by reversing its hostile policy toward Moscow — Deputy FM

Lead

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has stated that Tokyo must take the first step in restoring normal relations with Moscow by abandoning what he described as a hostile policy toward Russia. Speaking in an interview with the Russian Arctic and Far East Development portal, Rudenko said Moscow is ready to restore full trade and economic ties, but only after Japan changes its course and backs it up with concrete practical steps.

"Tokyo must take the first step in establishing contact with the Russian side by abandoning its hostile policy toward Moscow," Rudenko told TASS. He also reminded that it was Tokyo that in February 2022, to please Western solidarity, initiated the hostile sanctions policy against Russia, which it continues to this day.

Coverage comparison

The story has been reported solely by the Russian state news agency TASS. Five TASS articles, all in English, cover various aspects and statements related to the issue. While the core message of Rudenko remains consistent, the coverage also notes that Japan has not announced any specific plans for political contacts with Russia at the forthcoming ASEAN events in Manila. Japanese Senior Deputy Minister Takeshi Akahori expressed this in response to a TASS reporter's question, saying that while there are no specific plans for engagement, he reiterated that Japan is open to dialogue.

The coverage of Russia's willingness to cooperate is framed with a condition: cooperation can be restored only after Japan abandons its unfriendly course. At the same time, the reports highlight that Japanese companies are keen to resume doing business in Russia, with the lawmaker Muneo Suzuki stating in late July after visiting Moscow that "We need to step up economic cooperation," recalling a May trip by Japanese officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Foreign Ministry. According to Suzuki, Japanese companies took part because they want to return.

The coverage also includes comments from other Russian officials, such as Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who, commenting on statements by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi about potentially fielding nuclear weapons, called on Tokyo to remember the lessons of World War II and "get back on the peaceful path." She warned that consequences of such irresponsible steps would be extremely negative, first of all for Tokyo.

Key Claims

• Japan has no specific plans for political contacts with Russia at the upcoming ASEAN events in Manila, including at the ministerial level, as stated by Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Akahori in response to a TASS reporter's question.

• Muneo Suzuki, a member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, visited Moscow in May, where, after meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, he reported that the two sides considered the possibility of a meeting of foreign ministers at the ASEAN summit in Manila, should Tokyo request it.

• Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized that Japan is open to dialogue with Moscow, but also said that there are no specific plans for such contacts yet. A similar position was expressed by Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeshi Akahori to TASS in early July.

• Following the meeting between Rudenko and Suzuki, the Russian side stated that resuming interstate contacts requires the Japanese authorities to abandon their chosen anti-Russian course, supported by concrete measures, as it does not serve the interests of Japan and its people.

• According to Rudenko, despite the political freeze, Japanese investors have maintained their presence in energy projects in the Far East, particularly in Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2, and cooperation continues in the fishing and timber industries.

• Japanese lawmakers noted that Japan and Russia need to step up economic cooperation.

• Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev told TASS that relations had deteriorated to an unprecedented low because of Japan's hostile policies, and that restoring bilateral ties and interstate contacts would require Tokyo to abandon its unfriendly course.

Perspectives

Russia: Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko and other Russian officials hold that Japan must take the first step by abandoning its 'hostile' sanctions policy; Russia is ready to cooperate once concrete action is taken.

Japan: Japanese officials, including Senior Deputy FM Takeshi Akahori and FM Toshimitsu Motegi, say Japan is open to dialogue with Moscow but has no specific plans for political contacts at the upcoming ASEAN events.

Japanese business interests: Lawmaker Muneo Suzuki says Japanese companies want to resume doing business with Russia and that the Japanese side needs to approach the Russian side to expand economic cooperation.