Japanese government-funded entities in Russia that offer language classes and are seen as a symbol of bilateral friendship could cease operations following an order to terminate the implementation of related bilateral agreements.
In an order posted on the Russian government's website, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin suspended the implementation of memorandums signed in 2000 and 2003 with Japan stipulating the activities and other issues regarding "Japan Centers," in another sign of soured bilateral ties following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The order says the Russian Foreign Ministry will convey the decision to the Japanese side.
According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, such centers were established by the Japanese government in six cities in Russia from 1994 to 2001, including Moscow.
The centers offer management and Japanese language courses to cultivate and train personnel who then go on to work in Japan-Russia economic relations, the ministry said.
Japan, in lockstep with its Group of Seven peers and Western countries, has imposed economic sanctions on Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
© KYODO
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TaiwanIsNotChina
It's best not to have relations with the war criming state anyways.
kurisupisu
The ordinary Russian and the ordinary Japanese have more in common than with their respective politicians.Why would it be beneficial to prevent international cooperation?
Geeter Mckluskie
It's best to get along with one's neighbors...and even enemies...to prevent war
dobre vam zajebava
there are no issues between russian and japanese peaople,there is problem about US interference in japanese politics as Japan is acting in behalf of US interests.Thats why Japan have imposed meaningless antirussian sanctions so thos "sour in relationship" is directly related to that.
people of both countries wants normal relationship.US dislikes to see that.lets hope that new US administration will change that.
Tokyo Guy
Why anyone would want to be friends with Russia at the present time is beyond me.
Geeter Mckluskie
With "Russia" and with "Russians" are two different things. I have Russian friends. They oppose the war in Ukraine...all of them.
JJE
This will further isolate Tokyo down the track.
antibotter
Pull out of russia and deny travel to russians.
might as well add more sanctions just because. russia deserves to crumble with its people who allows this to keep happening.
putin wont change anything until pressure comes from within.
USNinJapan2
This will further isolate Moscow down the track.
Geeter Mckluskie
If you hold this view then to be consistent you must hold the same view of Gaza and its people.
That is that the people of Gaza "deserve to crumble"...because they have allowed Hamas to keep committing acts of terror.
Tokyo Guy
With "Russia" and with "Russians" are two different things. I have Russian friends. They oppose the war in Ukraine...all of them.
That's why I was careful to write "Russia" and not "Russians".
I would maintain that any citizen of Russia who disapproves of the country's belligerence in Ukraine and who did not vote for Putin (apparently that's only 12 per cent of the country, if their official figures are to be believed) does not deserve the effects of the sanctions, etc. being levied against the country.
OTOH, those who do support what's going on and who did vote for Putin should be made to feel every sanction and every consequence. No sympathy whatsoever for them.
Geeter Mckluskie
What percentage of Gazan's do you suppose voted for Hamas?
Do you believe that the people of Gaza should bear the brunt of Hamas' terroist acts?
The IDF's brutal, cruel response is a direct "consequence" of what happened on Oct.7
Geeter Mckluskie
The article is about Russia discontinuing Japanese language classes...for its citizens
rainyday
Yes, getting along with one's neighbors is much better than waging unprovoked wars of aggression against them in an attempt to exterminate their right to self determination, steal their land and indiscriminately murder their population. I hope Putin gets that message.
Burgerland
It's best not to have relations with the war criming state anyways.
You should also tell EU. News just reported they bought record amounts of Russian gas since the beginning of the year.
smithinjapan
Japan will remove all sanctions in lock-step with the US once Trump takes office.
Geeter Mckluskie
So do I...which is why it's important to keep ties with Russian people and the lines of communication open