The Japanese Foreign Ministry declared openness to dialogue with Russia

Japan remains open to dialogue with Russia, despite the difficult situation in bilateral relations. This was announced on June 2 by the head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Toshimitsu Motegi, at a press conference.

"Bilateral relations are indeed in a difficult situation, but it is precisely in such difficult times that dialogue between Japan and Russia is important," he said, the recording is available on the Japanese Foreign Ministry's YouTube channel.

At the same time, Motagi noted that there are no specific plans for political contacts between Moscow and Tokyo yet. He also said that the package of non-lethal equipment adopted for Ukraine only coincided with the visit of the Japanese delegation to Russia.

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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on May 14 that the Russian side had conveyed to the Japanese ambassador a list of steps required by Tokyo to resume dialogue, but no response had been received. She noted that Moscow is ready to consider the reaction of the Japanese side, if it is nevertheless directed. Zakharova also called the statements of the Japanese authorities that it was Russia that allegedly sought to make contact ridiculous.