Press Conferences

Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs: In the evening of yesterday, September 26, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation made a request to the Embassy of Japan in Russia, seeking the expulsion of a personnel at the Consulate-General of Japan in Vladivostok as a persona non grata on the account of conducting illegal information collection activities.

It is not true that the personnel has conducted illegal activities as claimed by Russia. In this case, the consul officer was taken away in a state of immobility while being blindfolded the entire time, with both his hands and head being held down, and was subjected to intimidating interrogation. The acts conducted by Russia are a clear and serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the Japan-Soviet Consular Convention. It is extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable. It is an unbelievable act that Russia notified the consular officer a persona non grata upon treating him unjustifiably, and Japan lodges a strong protest.

In the wake of this incident, today, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mori summoned Mr. Galuzin, Russian Ambassador to Japan, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Vice-Minister Mori lodged a serious protest and demanded a formal apology and the prevention of recurrence from Russia, and stated that the Government of Japan considers it is necessary to take appropriate measures.

Japan urges Russia to take the protest and points made by Japan seriously.

That is all from me.

Reporter: What is the condition of the detained consular officer since then? Could you please tell us his current state?

Minister Hayashi: We are aware that the personnel is not currently detained.