James D.J. Brown
@jamesdjbrown.bsky.social
Professor of Political Science, Temple University Japan. Currently working on: “Spy Paradise: Russian Espionage against Japan, from the Cold War to Cyber Warfare.” This book is the sequel to “Cracking the Crab”.
Russian MFA’s Zakharova criticises Japan’s alleged plans to allow deployment of intermediate-range Typhon missiles on Okinawa. She accuses JPN of transforming Okinawa into a “military springboard” & “pumping it full of weapons”. She adds: “We reserve the right to respond firmly”
November 28, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Russian MFA’s Zakharova criticises Japan’s alleged plans to allow deployment of intermediate-range Typhon missiles on Okinawa. She accuses JPN of transforming Okinawa into a “military springboard” & “pumping it full of weapons”. She adds: “We reserve the right to respond firmly”
Spokeswoman for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova accuses Japan of being “on a path of accelerated remilitarisation.” She points to Japan’s increased defence spending, its “destructive behaviour in the international arena”, and its “aggressive rhetoric”.
November 21, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Spokeswoman for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova accuses Japan of being “on a path of accelerated remilitarisation.” She points to Japan’s increased defence spending, its “destructive behaviour in the international arena”, and its “aggressive rhetoric”.
Trade turnover between Japan and Russia was up 2.55% in Oct, compared with the same month last year. LNG accounted for 58.9% of Japan’s imports from Russia. Cars and car parts accounted for 70.1% of Russian imports from Japan. Japan imported no Russian oil in Oct.
November 21, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Trade turnover between Japan and Russia was up 2.55% in Oct, compared with the same month last year. LNG accounted for 58.9% of Japan’s imports from Russia. Cars and car parts accounted for 70.1% of Russian imports from Japan. Japan imported no Russian oil in Oct.
LDP upper-house member Suzuki Muneo, in particular, gives a tub-thumping speech in which he condemns Ukraine for causing the conflict.
November 19, 2025 at 12:03 AM
LDP upper-house member Suzuki Muneo, in particular, gives a tub-thumping speech in which he condemns Ukraine for causing the conflict.
A Russian court has sentenced Japanese citizen Tainaka Takao in absentia to 14 years imprisonment for, they allege, fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. The 38-year-old is alleged to have entered Ukraine in 2023.
November 15, 2025 at 6:44 AM
A Russian court has sentenced Japanese citizen Tainaka Takao in absentia to 14 years imprisonment for, they allege, fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. The 38-year-old is alleged to have entered Ukraine in 2023.
Aside from the LDP’s Nishida Soji, the event at the Russian embassy on 12 November was attended by the LDP’s Suzuki Muneo and former Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio.
November 13, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Aside from the LDP’s Nishida Soji, the event at the Russian embassy on 12 November was attended by the LDP’s Suzuki Muneo and former Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio.
LDP Diet member Nishida Soji attended event at Russian embassy on 12 Nov. Nishida said he is opposed to Japan’s sanctions on RU. He blamed Ukraine for the war, saying it was started by Maidan Revolution of 2014. He compared it to Pearl Harbor which, in his view, was caused by the US oil embargo.
November 13, 2025 at 8:58 AM
LDP Diet member Nishida Soji attended event at Russian embassy on 12 Nov. Nishida said he is opposed to Japan’s sanctions on RU. He blamed Ukraine for the war, saying it was started by Maidan Revolution of 2014. He compared it to Pearl Harbor which, in his view, was caused by the US oil embargo.
Fukushima Nobuyuki, an independent member of the Japanese Diet, tells Russian state media that Japan should become less dependent on the United States and should develop an independent policy towards Russia. He argues that Takaichi should speak with Putin.
November 13, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Fukushima Nobuyuki, an independent member of the Japanese Diet, tells Russian state media that Japan should become less dependent on the United States and should develop an independent policy towards Russia. He argues that Takaichi should speak with Putin.
JAL says it has no definite plans to resume direct flights between Japan & Russia, saying that appropriate conditions first need to be fulfilled. Russian officials previously claimed that talks were underway between Japanese & Russian airlines about restarting flights.
November 11, 2025 at 6:43 AM
JAL says it has no definite plans to resume direct flights between Japan & Russia, saying that appropriate conditions first need to be fulfilled. Russian officials previously claimed that talks were underway between Japanese & Russian airlines about restarting flights.
On 4 Nov, Putin awarded foreign nationals with state decorations for their contributions to friendship with Russia & to promoting Russian culture. Among the recipients was Japanese actress Kurihara Komaki, chair of the organising committee for the Festival of Russian Culture in Japan.
November 5, 2025 at 7:51 AM
On 4 Nov, Putin awarded foreign nationals with state decorations for their contributions to friendship with Russia & to promoting Russian culture. Among the recipients was Japanese actress Kurihara Komaki, chair of the organising committee for the Festival of Russian Culture in Japan.
My interview with the BBC yesterday about Trump's visit to Japan.
October 28, 2025 at 6:51 AM
My interview with the BBC yesterday about Trump's visit to Japan.
Despite the points of disagreement, Katayama seems to have enjoyed the meeting.
October 27, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Despite the points of disagreement, Katayama seems to have enjoyed the meeting.
Japanese “historian” Tanaka Takeyuki tells Russian state media that almost half the Japanese population actually supports Russia and believes Ukraine is at fault. It’s not clear what he bases this claim on.
October 27, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Japanese “historian” Tanaka Takeyuki tells Russian state media that almost half the Japanese population actually supports Russia and believes Ukraine is at fault. It’s not clear what he bases this claim on.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov welcomes the new Japanese govt’s expressed desire to conclude a peace treaty with Russia, saying RU is also in favour of peace treaty. Peskov ignores the fact that Takaichi said a peace treaty would be signed after resolving the status of the disputed islands.
October 25, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Kremlin spokesman Peskov welcomes the new Japanese govt’s expressed desire to conclude a peace treaty with Russia, saying RU is also in favour of peace treaty. Peskov ignores the fact that Takaichi said a peace treaty would be signed after resolving the status of the disputed islands.
Japan is planning to open a dedicated visa centre in Moscow to handle the large increase in demand from Russians for tourist visas to visit Japan.
October 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Japan is planning to open a dedicated visa centre in Moscow to handle the large increase in demand from Russians for tourist visas to visit Japan.
A record number of Russian tourists visited Japan in Sept.
29,700 Russians visited Japan during Sept, an increase of 108% compared to a year earlier.
While govt-to-govt relations remain frosty, large numbers of Russians continue to make use of JPN’s accommodating visa regime.
29,700 Russians visited Japan during Sept, an increase of 108% compared to a year earlier.
While govt-to-govt relations remain frosty, large numbers of Russians continue to make use of JPN’s accommodating visa regime.
October 15, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A record number of Russian tourists visited Japan in Sept.
29,700 Russians visited Japan during Sept, an increase of 108% compared to a year earlier.
While govt-to-govt relations remain frosty, large numbers of Russians continue to make use of JPN’s accommodating visa regime.
29,700 Russians visited Japan during Sept, an increase of 108% compared to a year earlier.
While govt-to-govt relations remain frosty, large numbers of Russians continue to make use of JPN’s accommodating visa regime.
Zakharova: “Tokyo should stop copying the West in churning out Russophobic campaigns & return to its own national problems”.
RU wants JPN to see UKR as a distant issue. The problem is that, by allying with DPRK, RU has made itself a facilitator of the North Korean threat to JPN.
RU wants JPN to see UKR as a distant issue. The problem is that, by allying with DPRK, RU has made itself a facilitator of the North Korean threat to JPN.
October 15, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Zakharova: “Tokyo should stop copying the West in churning out Russophobic campaigns & return to its own national problems”.
RU wants JPN to see UKR as a distant issue. The problem is that, by allying with DPRK, RU has made itself a facilitator of the North Korean threat to JPN.
RU wants JPN to see UKR as a distant issue. The problem is that, by allying with DPRK, RU has made itself a facilitator of the North Korean threat to JPN.
Moscow waits to see what the policy of Japan’s forthcoming govt will be towards Russia. Dep FM Rudenko sounds unusually positive: “We always expect Japan’s policy toward Russia to be rational & pragmatic since we’re natural geographic partners.”
October 8, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Moscow waits to see what the policy of Japan’s forthcoming govt will be towards Russia. Dep FM Rudenko sounds unusually positive: “We always expect Japan’s policy toward Russia to be rational & pragmatic since we’re natural geographic partners.”
There was uproar in July when Sanseito’s Saya gave an interview to Sputnik. This included condemnation from LDP members. Yet, Suzuki Muneo, who is now back with the LDP, regularly gives interviews to Russian state media, including to RIA Novosti which is part of same media group as Sputnik.
October 7, 2025 at 6:50 AM
There was uproar in July when Sanseito’s Saya gave an interview to Sputnik. This included condemnation from LDP members. Yet, Suzuki Muneo, who is now back with the LDP, regularly gives interviews to Russian state media, including to RIA Novosti which is part of same media group as Sputnik.
LDP Diet member Suzuki Muneo tells Russian state media that he expects Japan-Russia relations to improve after Takaichi becomes PM. He predicts that she will appoint Motegi as foreign minister.
October 7, 2025 at 5:09 AM
LDP Diet member Suzuki Muneo tells Russian state media that he expects Japan-Russia relations to improve after Takaichi becomes PM. He predicts that she will appoint Motegi as foreign minister.
Russian state media notes that 3 of the 5 candidates for LDP leader are subject to Russian sanctions. Koizumi, Takaichi & Hayashi are all banned from entering Russia.
The article does not mentioned if Kobayashi and Motegi feel unfairly ignored.
The article does not mentioned if Kobayashi and Motegi feel unfairly ignored.
September 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Russian state media notes that 3 of the 5 candidates for LDP leader are subject to Russian sanctions. Koizumi, Takaichi & Hayashi are all banned from entering Russia.
The article does not mentioned if Kobayashi and Motegi feel unfairly ignored.
The article does not mentioned if Kobayashi and Motegi feel unfairly ignored.
In the first 8 months of 2025, Russia imported 131,500 used cars from Japan, a 10% decline from the same period in 2024. The most popular brand is Toyota (33.7%), followed by Honda (30.5%). 30% of the vehicles are more than 10 years old.
September 19, 2025 at 7:56 AM
In the first 8 months of 2025, Russia imported 131,500 used cars from Japan, a 10% decline from the same period in 2024. The most popular brand is Toyota (33.7%), followed by Honda (30.5%). 30% of the vehicles are more than 10 years old.
Russia warns Japan of retaliation after Tokyo’s decision on 12 Sept to impose additional sanctions. MFA’s Zakharova says that Russia’s countermeasures will include “asymmetric” measures.
September 19, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Russia warns Japan of retaliation after Tokyo’s decision on 12 Sept to impose additional sanctions. MFA’s Zakharova says that Russia’s countermeasures will include “asymmetric” measures.
Russia-Japan bilateral trade fell 12.5% in August 2025 compared with the same month last year.
Japan’s purchases of Russian LNG and coal were down 33.2% and 44.9% respectively.
Japan’s purchases of Russian LNG and coal were down 33.2% and 44.9% respectively.
September 17, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Russia-Japan bilateral trade fell 12.5% in August 2025 compared with the same month last year.
Japan’s purchases of Russian LNG and coal were down 33.2% and 44.9% respectively.
Japan’s purchases of Russian LNG and coal were down 33.2% and 44.9% respectively.
Russian MFA spokeswoman Zakharova describes Japan’s decision to close the Japan Centres in Russia as “logical & timely.” She accuses the JPN-govt-funded centres of committing cartographic distortions & of providing teaching services without the requisite licences.
September 12, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Russian MFA spokeswoman Zakharova describes Japan’s decision to close the Japan Centres in Russia as “logical & timely.” She accuses the JPN-govt-funded centres of committing cartographic distortions & of providing teaching services without the requisite licences.