TOKYO, September 11. /TASS/. Japan's top government spokesman said on Friday that no decisions had yet been made about a possible visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to Russia.
"As for Kishida’s visit to Russia and everything connected with it, nothing has been decided so far," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference, when asked whether recent visits by Russian officials to the Kuril Islands might affect the Japanese top diplomat’s planned trip to Moscow.
- Japan: Russian transport minister’s trip to Kurils contradicts Tokyo’s position
- Russia dismisses Japan’s protest over Russian transport minister’s trip to Kunashir
- Japan, unlike China, is bound by G7 sanctions when it comes to investing in Russia — JBIC
- Japan wants to develop special economic zones in Siberia and Far East — deputies
- Tokyo protests Russian official’s visit to Iturup island
Local media reported last month that following Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Iturup Island in late August, the Japanese government decided to postpone Kishida’s trip to Russia.
Kishida’s visit was originally planned for last spring. However, the plans were not fulfilled due to events in Ukraine and Tokyo’s joining Western sanctions against Russia. This trip is considered as a very important part of preparations for the Russian president’s visit to Japan.
Tokyo has not confirmed its timeframe since last year, although it sent a respective invitation to Moscow a long time ago.
In early July, the Japanese government sent to Moscow foreign ministry official Hajime Hayashi to discuss plans for Kishida’s trip to Russia. Tokyo said the aim was to create a favourable atmosphere for Putin’s visit to Japan.