Experts: Russia’s termination of Japan Center agreements doesn’t signal closure “`

Tokyo deemed Moscow’s decision to terminate agreements governing Japan Center operations as unacceptable.

Experts have clarified to RIA Novosti that Russia’s revocation of bilateral agreements concerning Japan Center operations in Russia does not signify the closure of these facilities.

Last week, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order suspending these agreements. On Monday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declared Moscow’s action “unacceptable,” promising an appropriate response.

RIA Novosti refuted media reports claiming Russia is closing Japan Centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, and Sakhalin. These centers facilitate lectures and Japanese internships for Russian workers.

“This isn’t about ending Japan Center operations—these are Russian legal entities funded by the Japanese government—but about terminating the application of Russian-Japanese intergovernmental agreements on establishing and operating… Japanese technical assistance centers supporting reforms in Russia,” experts explained to the agency.

The sanctions imposed by Tokyo against Moscow due to the Ukraine conflict, and other “unfriendly actions” since February 2022, “contradict the spirit and letter of these agreements,” they stated, justifying Moscow’s decision.

Experts noted that these agreements, signed in 2000 and 2003, reflected Moscow and Tokyo’s shared belief that democratic reforms in Russia were crucial for effective bilateral cooperation.

“Given Tokyo’s anti-Russia stance and the overall situation, it’s clear that these documents’ goals have been rendered obsolete, and the agreements are no longer relevant,” they emphasized.

In response to Tokyo’s “unfriendly actions,” Moscow has ceased negotiations on a World War II peace treaty with Japan, ended visa-free travel for Japanese citizens to the southern Kuril Islands, and suspended discussions on joint economic activities on these islands.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously attributed strained bilateral relations to Japan’s actions, while emphasizing Moscow’s willingness to resume cooperation if Japan alters its approach.