Japan will put economic cooperation projects with Russia on hold, including an eight-point plan intended to break the deadlock over a territorial issue, the top government spokesman said Friday as Tokyo hardens its stance on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Russia's aggression in Ukraine has made it difficult to deepen bilateral cooperation in the economic field. Japan has slapped a spate of sanctions on the country, including an asset freeze targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Based on the stance that government projects related to economic cooperation with Russia, including the eight-point plan, should be put on hold, we will respond by taking into account our energy security and humanitarian standpoint," Matsuno told a press briefing.