Tokyo Tower. File photoTOKYO, Apr 3 Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda, speaking on an NHK TV program, expressed the view that at present the only way is to increase sanctions against Russia in light of events in Ukraine.
"At the current stage (of the development of events — ed.), there is no other way but to further strengthen sanctions against Russia", he noted.
At the same time, the minister acknowledged that «it cannot be denied that it is impossible to avoid the negative consequences of the imposed sanctions» on the Japanese economy. «In particular, if the situation in the region drags on, it will be difficult for Japanese companies operating in Russia to continue doing business «, — added Hagiuda. At the same time, when asked by the host about when it would be possible to think about easing anti-Russian sanctions, the head of the Japanese Ministry of Economy replied that «only at the stage when peace in the region will be obvious.»
Japan imposes sanctions against four companies and three individuals from RussiaA number of Western countries have introduced new sanctions against the Russian Federation because of Ukraine. According to the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, the Western sanctions are very serious, Russia was preparing for them in advance. He added that they require analysis and coordination of departments in order to develop response measures that are in line with the interests of the Russian Federation. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the policy of containing and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy for the West, and sanctions have dealt a serious blow to the entire global economy. According to him, the main goal of the West is to worsen the lives of millions of people. Putin also said that the United States and the European Union had effectively defaulted on their obligations to Russia, freezing its foreign exchange reserves. He added that the current events draw a line under the global dominance of the West in both politics and economics. Why Russia refused dialogue with JapanRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that Western companies that refuse to work with Russia did so under enormous pressure, but Russia will solve all the problems with the economy that the West creates for it. Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview RIA Novosti that the withdrawal of foreign companies from the Russian market is an absolutely political story, they do it under pressure from their authorities. Foreign companies that have suspended work in the Russian Federation are being persuaded not to introduce external management and not to nationalize them, because they want to return, they will do it, but the question is when and with what losses, Medvedev added.
The Japanese called Russia's response to sanctions a «black mark»