Japan protests Russia's declaring Sept 3 as day of victory over 'militaristic' Japan

Japan protests Russia's declaring Sept 3 as day of victory over 'militaristic' Japan
Japan's new Chief of Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu announces new cabinet members at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan on Oct 4, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters

TOKYO - Japan has lodged a protest against Russia over the country's decision to declare Sept 3 a day of victory over "militaristic Japan" - a move it said would fan mutual antagonism, the top government spokesperson said on Monday (June 26).

"The passage of this law could not only stir anti-Japanese sentiment among the Russian people, but may also lead to anti-Russian sentiment among the Japanese people," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference on Monday, calling Moscow's move "extremely regrettable".

Russia last week renamed the commemoration day of Sept 3 - the day after Japan's surrender in World War Two - as the Day of Victory over Militaristic Japan, according to Japanese media reports.

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