Kiev supports Tokyo’s decision to restart grassroots exchanges, including sending Japanese teachers to Russian schools, resuming government scholarships for Russian higher education students going to Japan, and resuming “small-scale” Japanese cultural events However, it is unlikely that such exchanges will resume. Analysts said there was a good chance it would pursue anti-war policies.
Some programs that were suspended immediately after the invasion, such as visits by Russian university students and researchers, have recently resumed. Tokyo will also host Russian Japanese language teachers and their students, and the embassy in Moscow will organize an exhibition featuring Japanese culture and show Japanese films.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement to Asia this week that “our view remains that Japan will continue to impose tough sanctions against Russia to stop Russian aggression.”
“At the same time, we believe that it is precisely because of this situation that it is important for Japan to maintain contact with Russian civil society, especially the young generation, and to provide Russian citizens with the opportunity to gain an international perspective. .”
Japanese youth trapped in an outdated work culture seek greener pastures abroad
Japanese youth trapped in an outdated work culture seek greener pastures abroad
James Brown, a professor of international relations who specializes in Russia issues at Temple University’s Tokyo campus, believes the initiative has merit, even if it is unlikely that Kiev or other Eastern European governments will support it. .
“Russia wants to suggest that international sanctions are driven by ‘Russophobia’ and are an attack on the entire Russian people; “It attracts a lot of distinction,” he said.
“This is welcome because it shows that this is not the case,” he said. “This shows that Japan does not consider the Russian people to be an enemy and that the purpose of the sanctions is to thwart the Putin regime’s aggression.”
Highlighting Japanese culture, bringing young people to Japan, and encouraging them to learn the Japanese language will “combat negative narratives and undermine Russian propaganda suggesting Japan is reverting to militarism.” This will result in the creation of a new system.
“And the more young Russians come to Japan, the more they may like what they see and want to live here instead of Putin’s Russia,” he added.