Rising Tension as Japan Calls Out Russian Memorial Insulting National Symbol

Tokyo's leadership has taken a strong stand against a Russian war‑victory memorial that they say dishonours a cherished Japanese emblem. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Saturday formally appealed to Moscow to remove the 15‑metre bronze statue placed in Khabarovsk's Muravyov‑Amursky Regional Park.

The artwork depicts a Soviet soldier shattering a stone pillar stamped with a chrysanthemum‑style motif, a sign traditionally associated with Japan's royal house and its wartime legacy. Japanese officials described the image as "unacceptable" and a direct affront to the nation's dignity.

In a statement, Hayashi noted that the monument not only fails to promote constructive dialogue but also inflames public sentiment in Japan. He added that the request for removal has so far gone unanswered by Russian authorities.

The dispute arrives as Russia and Japan grapple with a longstanding disagreement over the four islands seized at the end of World War II. While Tokyo insists the Soviet capture was unlawful, Moscow maintains the occupation was legal.

President Vladimir Putin recently blamed Japan for the deterioration of bilateral ties, following Tokyo's criticism of his visit to the contested islands. The latest controversy over the Khabarovsk statue suggests the diplomatic chill may deepen further.