Russian specialists refute allegations from Japan Center
Tokyo previously declared Moscow's choice to terminate the memorandums regarding the operations of the centers as “unacceptable.” Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Tokyo has characterized Moscow's recent decision to withdraw from bilateral memorandums regarding the operations of Japan Center offices in Russia as “unacceptable.”
Experts speaking to RIA Novosti indicated that this withdrawal does not signify the closure of the facilities, which serve to host lectures and facilitate internships in Japan for Russian workers. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the order to halt the execution of the memorandums last week. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi responded on Monday, asserting that Tokyo will “respond appropriately.”
RIA Novosti reported that claims about the closure of Japan Center offices in cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, and Sakhalin are incorrect. According to experts, the issue is not the cessation of activities of the Japan Center offices—legal entities in Russia financed by the Japanese government—but rather the termination of the application of Russian-Japanese intergovernmental agreements regarding the establishment and operation of Japanese centers aimed at technical assistance for reforms in Russia.
The experts noted that Japan's sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict, along with other “unfriendly measures” enacted since February 2022, “go against the spirit and letter of the memorandums,” providing context for Moscow’s decision.
These memorandums were originally signed in 2000 and 2003, stemming from a mutual understanding that democratic reforms in Russia were crucial for fruitful cooperation between the two countries. “In the context of Tokyo’s anti-Russian policy and the current situation as a whole, it is obvious that the goals and objectives of these documents have been exhausted and the memorandums have lost their relevance,” the experts emphasized.
In response to what it termed “unfriendly steps” by Tokyo, Moscow has rejected negotiations regarding a peace treaty stemming from World War II, ended visa-free travel for Japanese citizens to the southern Kuril Islands, and ceased discussions on joint economic ventures in the area.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously attributed the strains in bilateral relations to Japan while signaling that Moscow remains open to reestablishing cooperation with Tokyo if it alters its stance.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Experts speaking to RIA Novosti indicated that this withdrawal does not signify the closure of the facilities, which serve to host lectures and facilitate internships in Japan for Russian workers. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the order to halt the execution of the memorandums last week. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi responded on Monday, asserting that Tokyo will “respond appropriately.”
RIA Novosti reported that claims about the closure of Japan Center offices in cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, and Sakhalin are incorrect. According to experts, the issue is not the cessation of activities of the Japan Center offices—legal entities in Russia financed by the Japanese government—but rather the termination of the application of Russian-Japanese intergovernmental agreements regarding the establishment and operation of Japanese centers aimed at technical assistance for reforms in Russia.
The experts noted that Japan's sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict, along with other “unfriendly measures” enacted since February 2022, “go against the spirit and letter of the memorandums,” providing context for Moscow’s decision.
These memorandums were originally signed in 2000 and 2003, stemming from a mutual understanding that democratic reforms in Russia were crucial for fruitful cooperation between the two countries. “In the context of Tokyo’s anti-Russian policy and the current situation as a whole, it is obvious that the goals and objectives of these documents have been exhausted and the memorandums have lost their relevance,” the experts emphasized.
In response to what it termed “unfriendly steps” by Tokyo, Moscow has rejected negotiations regarding a peace treaty stemming from World War II, ended visa-free travel for Japanese citizens to the southern Kuril Islands, and ceased discussions on joint economic ventures in the area.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously attributed the strains in bilateral relations to Japan while signaling that Moscow remains open to reestablishing cooperation with Tokyo if it alters its stance.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
