Japan urges Russia to dismantle monument in Khabarovsk
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on the Russian Federation — an aggressor state — to dismantle a war monument in Khabarovsk. The monument depicts the destruction of a Japanese national symbol, Anadolu Agency reports, citing Kyodo News.
Monument with a chrysanthemum emblem
According to Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, the bronze statue was unveiled in Khabarovsk on Friday. The composition depicts a Soviet soldier destroying a stone marker bearing a chrysanthemum emblem.
The chrysanthemum emblem is widely recognized as a symbol of Japan. Takaichi called the monument depicting its destruction completely unacceptable. Motegi said the monument does not contribute to bilateral relations and is unacceptable and extremely regrettable for the national sentiments of the Japanese people.
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Tokyo’s appeal
The head of Japan’s Foreign Ministry said that Tokyo had strongly urged the Russian side through diplomatic channels to stop the installation of the monument and dismantle it. According to him, the Russian side had not responded to the appeal at that time, and Japan will continue to strongly call for its dismantling.
Moscow did not immediately respond to the statements by the Japanese side. Relations between Japan and Russia have been strained in recent months following Russian President vladimir putin’s visit to a disputed chain of islands near Hokkaido, against which Tokyo lodged a protest.
