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Japan Demands Removal of Russian Statue Depicting Destruction of Imperial Crest

evening · · thread: President Putin Makes First Visit to Disputed Etorofu Island

2 sources · Japan

Who reported this

  • Asahi Shimbun Japan · Centre-left · Asahi Shimbun Company (family and employee held)
  • Kyodo News Japan · Centre · Non-profit publisher cooperative

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  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
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Every source for this story reports from Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi have called on Russia to remove a new war victory statue unveiled in Khabarovsk. The monument depicts a Soviet soldier destroying a stone marker that bears the chrysanthemum crest, which is widely recognized as a symbol of Japan. Prime Minister Takaichi described the installation as completely unacceptable and a matter of national sentiment. Foreign Minister Motegi called the statue regrettable and stated that it is not constructive for bilateral relations.

The unveiling occurred on September 4, coinciding with the anniversary of Russia's victory over Japan in World War II. This diplomatic friction follows a period of worsening relations between the two nations. Tensions have risen since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and a recent visit by President Vladimir Putin to a Russian held, Japanese claimed island chain off Hokkaido. In 2023, Russia renamed the September 3 anniversary to The Day of Victory over Militarist Japan and the End of World War II.

How each side framed it

Centre-left
The center left framing emphasizes the emotional impact on national sentiment and the specific symbolic offense of the chrysanthemum crest.
Centre
The center framing focuses on the diplomatic timeline and the broader context of deteriorating Japan Russia relations.

Sources

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