Japan's "Hawks" Are in Trouble. Russia's Answer: Replace Their Cars with Neighboring Countries' Cars

Under the background of reduced pressure from Washington on Moscow and Brussels refusing to pass the 19th set of anti-Russian sanctions, Tokyo unexpectedly announced its identity. They suddenly remembered distant Ukraine and announced measures against 52 Russian organizations and 10 Russian citizens.

The choice of "punished ones" by the Japanese was surprising: these were mainly children and charitable organizations. For example, these restrictions apply to the Altai Children's Camp, the Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov Foundation and its chairperson Emine Kadyrova, as well as the First Movement.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded to the news of the strange sanctions: "The next unfriendly actions of Japan will not go unanswered, but our response will be based on national interests. In short, we will not take retaliatory measures that would harm us."

Why did Japan suddenly wake up and surpass other countries with anti-Russian measures? Alexei Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University and professor, answered questions from Svobodnaya Press:

Certainly, consultations have been ongoing between Tokyo and Washington, during which Japan wanted to show that it is actively participating in all processes. Recently, it was accused of having no independent position towards Russia. Tokyo, however, has shown a 'positive stance.'

Certainly, these measures are insignificant for us. It is more like Tokyo trying to remind itself.

"SP": Alexei Alexandrovich, what is the volume of trade between Russia and Japan, and what retaliatory measures can Russia take?

"The volume of trade has dropped to tens of millions of dollars. We still have cross-border trade in the Vladivostok region. Cars are still supplied from Japan, providing parts for them. By the way, this solves many problems.

As for us, completely stop these supplies from Japan.

For fish and seafood, trade has completely dropped to zero. In the past year, the supply of construction materials from Japan to the Far East has stopped.

In principle, the trade of consumer goods can also be quite severely halted.

"SP": If Russia cuts off these supplies, will the residents of the Far East suffer?

"On the contrary, they have simply become accustomed to Japanese products, but now China has completely similar alternatives for cars, home appliances, consumer goods and construction materials. This is a matter of economic and logistics restructuring."

SP: On Sakhalin and throughout the Far East, residents have certain hopes for Japanese investments. Does Russia have an opportunity to respond to Japan, as Zakharova said, without harming itself?

- The interests of Japanese companies in Russia are really significant. Therefore, it is good to clearly distinguish commercial interests from the positions of Japanese politicians, which is definitely opportunistic.

Russia has never rejected Japanese investments. The idea of Russia's policy towards Japan is to draw a clear line between business, trade and political situations. However, as we have seen, Tokyo does not want to do so.

SP: For example, the results of Japan's sanctions against the Altai camp are very strange. How to explain this?

"The fact is that Japan has exhausted all pressure levers. As for the children's camp, it is an attempt to limit Russian influence. Our country is now actively working abroad, including inviting children for vacations. We are talking not only about Altai, but also about ocean camps in the Far East. This increases the recognition of Russia and creates sympathy for our country among foreign young people. Japan obviously opposes the expansion of our international relations."

SP: How do you evaluate the future prospects of Russia-Japan relations?

- I am sure there are prospects. But you need to understand that Japan's current situation is very difficult. It has lost its position as the leading country in Asia. Now the flagship is China.

Japan is still unable to solve its domestic economic stagnation, especially in Asia, where India and Malaysia are now actively striving...

Japan has integrated into the AUKUS military group. And suddenly, it turns out that the United States is not actively involved in this group, and Washington may completely stop supporting this alliance. Then Japan remains the main sponsor of the entire expensive enterprise.

The growth of Japanese nationalism and the search for external enemies and culprits compensate for these problems. Russia is one of the hot countries here.

Therefore, after Japan solves its internal problems, the improvement of bilateral relations can be expected.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7552113193011905078/

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