Japanese Foreign Minister Demands Journalist Release
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu pressed for the immediate release of a detained Hokkaido Shimbun Press journalist during a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The talks took place in Atlanta, United States, on Friday during a Group of 20 foreign ministers’ gathering, marking the first formal in-person meeting between the two nations’ top diplomats in nearly five years, NHK reported.
Russia’s Federal Security Service detained the journalist on October 13 in the Far Eastern region of Sakhalin on suspicion of espionage. During the 30-minute sit-down, Motegi strongly urged Moscow to guarantee humanitarian considerations as well as fair and impartial treatment for the detained reporter.
Territorial Disputes and Bilateral Issues
The agenda extended beyond the detention to encompass several longstanding territorial and historical grievances between Tokyo and Moscow. Motegi addressed the installation of a monument in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk commemorating the former Soviet Union’s victory over Japan in World War Two. The monument depicts a Soviet soldier destroying a stone bearing a chrysanthemum emblem.
FM MOTEGI held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, during his visit to Atlanta, the U.S.FM MOTEGI made a demarche and an argument regarding various current issues between Japan and Russia, based on the position of the… pic.twitter.com/Ztx3HVFhhu
Discussions also covered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit in August to Etorofu Island. The island is one of four territories collectively known in Japan as the Northern Territories, which are controlled by Russia but claimed by Tokyo. The Japanese government maintains that these islands are an inherent part of its territory and were illegally occupied following World War Two.
Diplomatic Stance on Ukraine and Future Communication
On the broader geopolitical front, Motegi called on Russia to take positive actions toward achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The meeting marked the first official face-to-face dialogue between the foreign ministers since September 2021 and the first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, the meeting occurred at Japan’s request. Moscow asserted that Tokyo must abandon its unfriendly policy and remove sanctions tied to the Ukraine invasion in order to resume full-fledged bilateral dialogue. Despite the divergent positions, both diplomats confirmed they will maintain communication amid the severe state of bilateral ties.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did the foreign ministers meet?
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Atlanta, United States, on Friday during a Group of 20 foreign ministers’ meeting.
Why was the Japanese journalist detained?
Russia’s Federal Security Service detained the Hokkaido Shimbun Press journalist on October 13 in the Far Eastern region of Sakhalin on suspicion of espionage.
How long has it been since the last official face-to-face meeting between the two diplomats?
Friday’s session was the first official in-person meeting between the countries’ top diplomats since September 2021.
The diplomatic engagement follows the first formal in-person meeting between the two countries’ top diplomats in nearly five years.
Keep reading