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Japan government will not hamper economic, cultural ties with Russia

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga confirmed that the sixth Russian-Japanese investment forum would be held in Tokyo on March 19 according to schedule

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga

© EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

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Japan halts consultations on easing visa regime with Russia

TOKYO, March 18. /ITAR-TASS/. Japanese government believes that the country should not hamper development of economic and cultural ties with Russia despite the current situation in Ukraine and introduction of some measures regarding Moscow over results of a referendum in the Republic of Crimea, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference in the Japanese capital on Tuesday.

Suga also confirmed that the sixth Russian-Japanese investment forum would be held in Tokyo on March 19 according to schedule. “This event was organized at private level. I am aware that there are no changes in the plans to hold it. It is needless to hamper economic and cultural ties,” the Japanese chief cabinet secretary said.

Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida refrained from replying to journalists’ questions about prospects of official talks with Russia this year. “We will follow any changes in the situation. At current stage no decisions are taken,” Kishida said.

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