TOKYO, May 9. /TASS/. Japan and Russia, despite Russophobic sentiments in the Japanese media, continue to maintain deep cultural ties, Russia’s temporary charge d'affaires in Japan Gennady Ovechko said in an interview with TASS.

"Despite the rampant Russophobia in the media, we maintain traditionally deep cultural ties. The annual Russian culture festival in Japan is appropriately at the center of them. We are deeply thankful to the festival's organizing committee, our Japanese friends, partners, and like-minded individuals for their consistent efforts to deepen the cultural links that unite our peoples," he said.

"We are convinced that these efforts will be duly appreciated by numerous true connoisseurs of high culture and the general public," the diplomat added.

At the same time, Japanese authorities are encouraging a campaign to stir up anti-Russian rhetoric in the media, which has a negative impact on the daily lives of Russians in Japan, he said.