Customs did not give a go-ahead: Japan is unhappy with the actions of Russians in the Kuril Islands
Official Tokyo is again indignant over the actions of the Russian authorities on the territory of the South Kuril Islands. This is due to the confiscation by Russian customs officers of satellite phones from Japanese diplomats and journalists during a visit to the last mentioned islands. The Japanese Foreign Ministry even protested to the Russian side. However, you need to understand the situation without emotions, since the Japanese side emphasizes a visa-free regime and a visit to the graves of their ancestors.
The incident itself took place in July 2018, when a large (visa-free) delegation of seventy residents of Japan flew to Kunashir Island to visit the graves of their ancestors. A group of officials and representatives of the media arrived along with ordinary citizens.
However, after landing, Russian customs officers seized satellite phones (six pieces) from some Japanese citizens, the import of which into Russia, without special permission, is prohibited by applicable law. And now, six months later, the Japanese Foreign Ministry “remembered” this incident and informed the Russian side that from the point of view of Japanese law, the actions of the Russians are unacceptable. This suggests that Tokyo still considers the South Kuril Islands part of the country of the "rising sun", i.e. the so-called "northern territories", despite the unconditional surrender during the Second World War.
It must be recalled that a visa-free regime applies only to people. It does not allow smuggling or espionage activities. Moreover, the laws of many countries spell exactly the same rules that Russian customs uses.
And finally, we need to add that no one bothered the Japanese to perform religious rituals and simply “wander” around the island. This is clearly seen in the numerous photographs posted on the Internet. On which it can be seen that the Japanese delegation did not have a shortage of telephones, video cameras and other equipment.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry simply decided to put an ugly pressure on Russia, creating another hysteria and provoking an international scandal, using rhetoric about the graves of their ancestors. After all, the Russian court recognized that the confiscation was carried out in full accordance with existing standards.
The incident itself took place in July 2018, when a large (visa-free) delegation of seventy residents of Japan flew to Kunashir Island to visit the graves of their ancestors. A group of officials and representatives of the media arrived along with ordinary citizens.
However, after landing, Russian customs officers seized satellite phones (six pieces) from some Japanese citizens, the import of which into Russia, without special permission, is prohibited by applicable law. And now, six months later, the Japanese Foreign Ministry “remembered” this incident and informed the Russian side that from the point of view of Japanese law, the actions of the Russians are unacceptable. This suggests that Tokyo still considers the South Kuril Islands part of the country of the "rising sun", i.e. the so-called "northern territories", despite the unconditional surrender during the Second World War.
It must be recalled that a visa-free regime applies only to people. It does not allow smuggling or espionage activities. Moreover, the laws of many countries spell exactly the same rules that Russian customs uses.
And finally, we need to add that no one bothered the Japanese to perform religious rituals and simply “wander” around the island. This is clearly seen in the numerous photographs posted on the Internet. On which it can be seen that the Japanese delegation did not have a shortage of telephones, video cameras and other equipment.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry simply decided to put an ugly pressure on Russia, creating another hysteria and provoking an international scandal, using rhetoric about the graves of their ancestors. After all, the Russian court recognized that the confiscation was carried out in full accordance with existing standards.
- https://sakhalin.info/
Information