JAKARTA - Japan is furious at Russia's unilateral withdrawal from peace treaty talks, freezing joint economic projects linked to the disputed Kuril Islands, due to sanctions imposed by Tokyo over its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia and Japan still have not officially ended World War Two hostilities, due to a dispute over islands off Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, known in Russia as the Kurils and in Japan as the Northern Territories. The islands were captured by the Soviet Union at the end of the Second World War.
"Under current conditions, Russia does not intend to continue negotiations with Japan on a peace treaty," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday, citing "Japan's openly hostile position and attempts to undermine our country's interests." Reuters 22 March.
In response to the move, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he strongly opposed Russia's decision, calling it unfair and totally unacceptable.
"This whole situation has been created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia's reaction to pushing these (sanctions) into Japan-Russia relations is very unfair and totally unacceptable," he stressed, adding Japan's stance in seeking a peace treaty had not changed, protest against the steps taken by Russia.
"Japan must resolutely continue to sanction Russia in cooperation with the rest of the world," he stressed.
Separately, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Japan had lodged a protest with the Russian Ambassador in Tokyo.
Japan has imposed sanctions on 76 individuals, seven banks and 12 other entities in Russia, the latest on Friday, including defense officials and state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport.
Japan last week also announced plans to revoke the trade status of Russia's favorite country and ban imports of certain products.
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