Russia rejects Japan's request to remove World War II "Destroyed Chrysanthemum" monument
The Kremlin dismissed it, saying Russia had not forgotten Japanese militarism.
Quick Look
- The Japanese government recently asked Russia to remove the World War II Victory Monument in Khabarovsk in the Far East, which depicts Soviet soldiers smashing Japanese chrysanthemum boundary monuments.
- Kremlin spokesman Peskov responded today that Russia has not forgotten Japanese militarism and will not consider the demolition request.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Japan's Foreign Ministry has asked Russia to remove the World War II Victory Monument in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk because it depicts Soviet soldiers destroying a chrysanthemum heraldic boundary monument that symbolizes Japan.
The Japanese government asked Russia to remove the "Destroy the Chrysanthemum" World War II victory monument, but the Kremlin said it would "not consider it." (Extracted from X platform @mfa_russia)
The Kremlin stated today (8th) that despite the Japanese government's request to demolish a World War II victory monument in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, Russia has not forgotten "Japanese militarism" and therefore will not demolish the monument.
The controversial monument, made of bronze, depicts a Japanese border monument with a chrysanthemum pattern being smashed by a Soviet soldier with the butt of his rifle, Reuters reported.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Saturday asking Russia to remove the monument. "Such a statue is not constructive to Japan-Russia relations. In particular, the chrysanthemum emblem is widely regarded as the emblem representing Japan. Erecting a monument depicting the destruction of the chrysanthemum emblem is not only unacceptable in terms of Japanese national sentiments, but also extremely regrettable."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Japan of "selective memory" when responding to related topics today. He said: "It is difficult to say what Tokyo has forgotten and what it still remembers, but at least we have not forgotten Japanese militarism and that victory."
Peskov then added: "In this regard, it is impossible for us to consider such requests and statements in any way."
Open Questions
- Will Japan take further diplomatic countermeasures?
