Japan recently announced additional sanctions against Russia, but it was quickly countered by Russia. This move has sparked concern and speculation about Japan-Russia relations. According to reports, Japan has tightened economic sanctions against Russia in this new round of sanctions, including an export ban on 63 organizations linked to the Russian military, and a ban on the import of Russian diamonds from next year. In addition, Japan has included entities from other countries in the scope of sanctions. This move is seen as Japan's cooperation with the Western West's policy of isolation against Russia. However, Russia is not sitting still.
On the same day that Japan announced the tightening of sanctions, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Trutnev, who was visiting China, announced that Russia would invite China to jointly increase the development of the Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands have long been disputed territory between Russia and Japan, and this move by Russia is undoubtedly a wake-up call for Japan. It is worth mentioning that as early as October this year, at the Sino-Russian Tourism Forum, the Russian side put forward a plan to cooperate with China in the development of the Kuril Islands, which received a positive response from Chinese investors. When announcing the invitation to China to increase development, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister specially emphasized that it was not China that participated in the development of the project, but Chinese investors, so as to avoid involving China in the territorial dispute between Russia and Japan.
The move can also be seen as Russia's response to Japan's increased sanctions, demonstrating Russia's reluctance to involve China and its willingness to strengthen Sino-Russian cooperation. In contrast, Japan had previously made significant progress in peace talks with Russia on the Kuril Islands, but relations deteriorated again after Fumio Kishida joined the ranks of US sanctions against Russia after coming to power. In international relations, mutual sanctions and counter-sanctions have never been a good thing. As Japan increases sanctions against Russia, Russia's response is also obvious. This series of moves has not only made relations between the two countries more tense, but also affected regional stability and development.
Therefore, it is hoped that in the following Japan-Russia relations, both sides will be able to treat them calmly, replace sanctions and confrontation with dialogue and cooperation, and jointly promote regional peace and prosperity.