Contents tagged with Japan

  • Japanese media say that G-7 leaders will discuss sanctions against Russia at the summit in Italy

    The leaders of the Group of Seven will probably discuss the extension of sanctions against Russia at the next G-7 Summit that will take place in May 2017 in Italy, TASS reported, citing Kyodo Japanese Agency. According to the agency, the Japanese government intends to continue extending sanctions against the Russian Federation while, at the same time, working on bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

    In this way, Tokyo hopes to make progress in negotiations for a peace agreement. …

  • Japan and Russia agreed to pursue joint economic activities on the disputed Kuril Islands

    During two days of talks, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to settle the long territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, which were ceded to the Soviet Union after World War II. The parties, however, agreed to continue the dialogue and carry out joint economic activities on the disputed islands, Japanese media reported on Friday, December 16th, following the talks.

    During the talks, Putin and Abe negotiated easing travel restrictions between the …

  • Ukraine has received $1.85 million in aid from Japan since 2014

    Since 2014 Ukraine has received $1.85 billion in assistance from Japan, and these funds were allocated both for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other areas not associated with defense and security sectors, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

    "Despite the fact that our countries are far from each other, relations between Ukraine and Japan is an example of building effective relations. We look forward to the further development and deepening of Ukrainian-Japanese …

  • Kremlin declines to comment on reports that Japan would allow US military presence on Kuril Islands

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on reports that Tokyo would allow the U.S. to establish military bases on the Kuril Islands if Japan gains sovereignty over the contested islands, TASS reported.

    “I would not in any way comment on the information that has appeared today in a Japanese media outlet because this refers to the content of the confidential talk between the secretaries of the Security Councils of Russia and Japan. We do not disclose the content of such meetings, all …

  • Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine assured that his country will maintain sanctions against Russia

    Japan will continue sanctions against Russia due to its aggression in Ukraine, as stated by the Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine, Sumi Shigeki, during a visit by the President of Ukraine to the main military hospital, the President’s press service reported.

    According to their report, Poroshenko visited the outpatient and endoscopic center for abdominal surgery, where the ambassador of Japan presented the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Stepan Poltorak, a certificate for a new video endoscope …

  • Japanese media: Tokyo and Moscow are discussing plan to create special economic zone in Kuril Islands

    Japan and Russia, in the framework of negotiations on the development of economic ties and a solution to the issue of a peace treaty, are discussing a plan to create a Special Economic Zone in the southern part of the Kuril Islands. This was reported on Monday by the Mainichi newspaper, citing governmental sources.

    It was noted that the plan also includes the establishment of joint ventures in the islands and the expansion of cooperation on visa-free exchange programs. However, according to …

  • Japan believes Putin’s visit is the last chance for Abe to solve Kuril Islands dispute

    A deputy of the lower house of Japan's ruling parliament, the Liberal Democratic Party, who is also the former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hakubun Shimomura, believes that the upcoming December visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Japan is the last chance for Prime Minister Shinzō Abe to resolve the territorial dispute, TASS reported.

    According to Kyodo News, he expressed this opinion on Sunday while on Fuji TV.

    “This visit is the last chance. It is …

  • Russian MFA: Deployment of missile systems to Kuril Islands was to strengthen national security

    The deployment of Bal and Bastion missiles to the Kuril Islands was carried out under the framework of scheduled work for national security, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said.

    “With regard to the placing of missile systems on the Southern Kurils: the Russian Federation is carrying out scheduled activities in the framework of defense construction. The goal is the consistent strengthening of national security,” she answered, in response to a question about …

  • Japanese Foreign Minister: Japan will take measures if Russia deploys missile systems to Kuril Islands

    Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida stated that Tokyo will take measures if Russia deploys Bal and Bastion missile systems to the Kuril Islands, TV Dozhd reported, referencing the Japanese NHK public broadcasting company.

    On Tuesday, Russia announced that the coastal missile systems will be deployed to the Iturup and Kunashir Islands, part of the contested Kuril Islands north of Japan and south of Russia’s Sakhalin Island.

    Bastion coastal missile systems are equipped with the Oniks …

  • The State Bank of Japan tightens sanctions against Russia

    The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has limited the financing of Russian companies and financial institutions, Nikkei reports.

    JBIC took this recent step as a show of agreement with the USA and the European Union, which has imposed relatively more severe constraints against Russia. The state bank will stop financing projects that European or American companies have pulled out of. The Japanese lender will also check to see that no private-sector peers will fund a potential …