Arab News Japan

TOKYO: House of Councilor’s lawmaker SUZUKI Muneo says Japan should reconsider its sanctions against Russia in order to reclaim islands in northern Japan that the Soviet Union occupied at the end of World War II.

Suzuki, who has close ties with Russia, has frequently questioned the government’s position in its relations with Russia.

“Economic sanctions should not be imposed on Russia,” he said in reply to a journalist’s question. “There is no meaning in doing so. Rather, it is better to make a ceasefire and create an atmosphere for negotiations. If economic sanctions are lifted, the Northern Territories will be returned.”

Suzuki cautioned against Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio visiting Ukraine. “If the Prime Minister goes to Ukraine, Japan’s future will be difficult,” he said. “Japan-Russia relations will end.” 

On his blog, Suzuki wrote last week that “Russia will not lose in this war. After all, Russia is a great power. Taking Russia lightly will prolong and complicate this conflict.” He suggested that Western intelligence information on the progress of the war was not accurate.