Japan Joins Sanctions Against Russia, Worsening Bilateral Relations
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] In response to Russia notifying the expulsion of a Japanese consul on charges of espionage, Japan has also demanded the departure of a Russian consul stationed in Japan.
On the 4th, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it informed Russia that one consul at the Russian Consulate General in Sapporo is considered a persona non grata and requested that he leave Japan by the 10th of this month.
On the same day, Takeo Mori, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, summoned Mikhail Galuzin, the Russian Ambassador to Japan, to notify him of this, pointing out that contrary to Russia's claims, the Japanese consul did not commit any illegal acts, and that detaining him and conducting an intimidating investigation clearly violated the Vienna Convention and the Russia-Japan Consular Treaty, expressing regret over the matter.
Japan's action is a direct response to Russia's previous measure. On the 22nd of last month, Russia arrested and detained the Japanese consul in Vladivostok for about three hours on charges of espionage, and on the 26th of the same month, notified his expulsion.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Japan has joined the United States and other major Western countries in imposing sanctions on Russia. As a result, relations between Japan and Russia have been deteriorating.
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