TOKYO, November 12. /TASS/. While Japan considers Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks on improving bilateral relations as "somewhat positive," Tokyo will maintain its sanctions on Moscow as long as the situation in Ukraine continues, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said at a news conference.

When asked by a TASS reporter to comment on Putin’s statements at last week’s plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, Japan’s top diplomat said, "I have learned about these statements from [media] reports." "Looking at them, the perception perhaps is that these are somewhat positive comments," Iwaya said, reiterating Tokyo’s stance on Ukraine.

It would be wrong to claim that "relations between Japan and Russia have been bad because of Tokyo," he argued. The latest developments, he said, stem from Moscow’s attitude toward Kiev, he insisted.

"Unless the current situation changes, we will have no choice but to impose severe sanctions on Russia," Iwaya noted.

However, he emphasized that Japan and Russia are facing other issues beyond Ukraine. "We are neighbors, and we need dialogue. Therefore, we will continue to act accordingly within the context of our overall foreign policy, based on what serves Japan’s national interests best," the foreign minister concluded. Earlier, Tokyo cited fishing and maritime safety as some of these areas.

Addressing the Valdai plenary session on November 7, Putin stated that Russia and Japan are natural partners as neighbors and that Moscow will not oppose Tokyo resuming cooperation.