The Japanese Foreign Ministry noted that Tokyo does not recognize Moscow's statements that Ukraine is preparing to use a "dirty bomb"TOKYO, October 28.
/tass/. The Japanese government is aware of the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin about the likelihood of a nuclear conflict, which he said at the plenary session of the Valdai International discussion club. This was announced on Friday at a regular press conference by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.
"We are aware of President Putin's statements at the Valdai meeting," he said, answering a question from a journalist who noted that Putin refrained from making specific comments about the possibility of a nuclear conflict. At the same time, Matsuno stressed that the Japanese side is extremely concerned about the likelihood of the use of nuclear weapons during the conflict in Ukraine, and once again accused the Russian side of threats to use this type of weapons.
Hayashi also once again noted that the Japanese side does not recognize the statements of the Russian Federation that Ukraine is preparing to use a "dirty bomb". "In any case, we believe that any attempts by Russia to increase the level of escalation are inexcusable," he added, stressing that Japan, being the only country in the world affected by nuclear bombing, will continue close cooperation with the international community on the nuclear issue.
On Thursday, speaking at the plenary session of the Valdai International discussion club, Putin did not comment on the likelihood of a nuclear conflict. Moderator of the meeting, Director of Scientific Work of the Foundation for the Development and Support of the Valdai Club Fedor Lukyanov drew attention to the emergence of the "nuclear factor" in recent months. "A lot of people got a little nervous, remembering your statement here, at our event, four years ago, that we would all go to heaven. We're not in a hurry, are we? - he addressed the head of state. - Here you are thinking, this is already alarming somehow." "And I specifically thought about it so that you would be wary. The effect has been achieved," Putin replied.
Japan is the only country on whose territory the combat use of nuclear weapons has been implemented. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were carried out by the US Armed Forces at the very end of World War II. Their official goal was to accelerate the surrender of the Japanese Empire. The United States still does not recognize its moral responsibility for the atomic bombings, justifying them by military necessity.
Earlier, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin will not develop the topic of nuclear escalation, people talking about it behave irresponsibly. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, stressed that the United States and other Western countries may be interested in escalating the situation around the use of nuclear weapons while blaming Moscow.
Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection troops of the Russian Armed Forces, said on Monday that forces and means were ready for action "in conditions of radioactive contamination." According to him, Moscow has data on Kiev's readiness to use a "dirty bomb". The threat of using a "dirty bomb" was also stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Earlier, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, held telephone talks with colleagues from the UK, USA, Turkey and France, warning about this threat from Ukraine. Washington, London and Paris said they did not believe Russian information on this matter.