TOKYO: The Japanese government has lodged a protest to Russia after Moscow designated Japan as one of unfriendly countries and territories, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Tuesday.

The protest was made through diplomatic channels Monday, according to the top Japanese government spokesman.

“It is regrettable. We called on (the Russian government) to make sure that legitimate interests of Japanese people and businesses are not undermined,” Matsuno told a press conference.

He refrained from commenting on the possible effects of the Russian action, saying only that the government is examining details of the matter.

The Russian list of unfriendly countries and territories also includes the United States and the European Union. Russia took the measure apparently in retaliation for Western sanctions on the country over its invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking to Arab News Japan, Tomohiko Taniguchi, Professor at Keio University and Special Adviser to former Prime Minister ABE’s cabinet while Abe was in office said Russian President Vladimir Putin should be “fully aware that most of democratic nations have no other choice than staying unfriendly toward Russia simply because his country has embarked on the least friendly, the most unimaginable, and the most peace-hating act toward innocent civilians in his neighborhood.”

“The bilateral relationship between Russia and Japan must be normalized going forward, but for now that Japan is listed as such is a medal of honor for the Japanese,” Taniguchi added.

*With JIJI Press