Andrey Rudenko, the deputy foreign minister of Russia, stated that Tokyo is deeply engaged in a sanctions regime against Moscow, yet real-world pressures are pushing Japanese authorities to compromise on certain principles and cooperate with Russia where it serves essential interests. He conveyed these observations in an interview with the newspaper Izvestia.
Rudenko argued that practical realities often compel Japan to abandon some of its stated principles when those standpoints conflict with national needs, particularly in areas where collaboration with Russia is indispensable for energy security and ongoing projects. He indicated that Tokyo’s guidance to local firms that own stakes in Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 oil and gas ventures focuses on preserving continuity in participation, under the banner of safeguarding Japan’s energy supply.
On January 4, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan would reiterate its sanctions against Russia and emphasize continued support for Ukraine during the G7 summit in Hiroshima. Kishida also signaled a push to engage with nations described as part of the global south that have yet to join the sanctions against the Russian Federation.
Former Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi commented that, in his role as head of the G7 next year, Japan would strive to sustain and strengthen anti-Russian sanctions while expanding aid to Ukraine. These reflections underscore Tokyo’s strategic aim to coordinate with Western partners while navigating broader geopolitical dynamics.
Earlier reports from Kyodo noted that Kishida had a meeting in Tokyo with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, during which the ongoing sanctions policy toward Russia was discussed. The gathering highlighted a shared emphasis on maintaining sanctions and the broader objective of sustaining support for Ukraine in the international arena.