THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
June 8, 2022 at 14:45 JST
A Japanese fishing boat from Nemuro in Hokkaido operates in waters close to the disputed Northern Territories in January 2020. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Russia announced it has suspended a fisheries agreement with Japan that allows Japanese fishing vessels to operate safely in waters off the disputed Northern Territories.
The impact of the decision, announced June 7 by Russia’s foreign ministry, is expected to be limited, sources said.
It follows sanctions imposed by Japan over Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine
“It is regrettable that Russia unilaterally suspended implementation of the agreement,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a June 8 news conference.
However, Russia accused Japan of foot-dragging with regard to the signing of documents related to technological support for Sakhalin island, a procedure it apparently deems vital to implementation of the agreement as well as “blocking payments based on the agreement.”
Japan quickly dismissed the assertion.
Russia said it was left with no choice but to suspend implementation of the agreement until Japan rectifies the situation.
But Matsuno insisted that Russia had “tied the two issues as if the cooperative project with Sakhalin is a precondition for the implementation of the agreement.”
The Foreign Ministry in Tokyo said the agreement “does not mention the cooperative project in Sakhalin.”
Whether or not Japan will go ahead with the cooperative project this year is still under discussion, the ministry explained.
Japan’s stance was conveyed to Moscow through diplomatic channels, the ministry said.
The agreement was signed in 1998.
Moscow labeled the pact “one of important agreements in the field of fisheries between Japan and Russia” as it allows Japanese fishing boats to operate within an area assigned by Russia.
The two countries have multiple fisheries agreements.
At the end of 2021, the two governments set terms for octopus hauls as well as those for Alaskan pollock and Okhotsk atka mackerel.
The fishing season for these varieties has yet to get under way and no Japanese vessels are operating in the area.
The fishing season for Okhotsk atka mackerel is expected to start Sept. 16, according to the agreement.
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