Russia Says Japan’s Latest Sanctions Further Strain Bilateral Relations

Dragon Media News Desk

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said Japan’s latest sanctions against Russia will further weaken relations between the two countries. In a statement issued on October 5, she criticized Tokyo’s latest measures as unfriendly and said Russia had not provoked them.

According to Zakharova, Japan announced its 27th package of restrictions against Russia on October 2. It targets 33 Russian legal entities, nine individuals and several companies abroad. For the first time, the measures also include restrictions on shipping, she said.

Zakharova described as “clumsy” Japan’s attempt to justify the measures by citing the current international situation over Ukraine and presenting them as a contribution to international peace. She accused Tokyo of lacking an independent foreign policy and of unquestioningly aligning itself with partners in the Euro-Atlantic region.

She also said the government of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was pushing the prospect of lasting peace in Ukraine further out of reach. In her view, Japan’s actions showed disregard for international law and bilateral agreements.

Zakharova cited the 1957 Treaty of Commerce, which remains in force between Russia and Japan. She said it guarantees that vessels and their crews in matters related to merchant shipping will receive treatment no less favorable than that granted to any third country.

Zakharova warned that Russia would respond to Japan’s unfriendly actions with proportionate countermeasures, primarily in areas of interest to Japan.