Russian Ambassador To Japan Expected To Leave Post Next Month
Russia's ambassador to Japan Mikhail Galuzin will reportedly leave his post as early as next month.
Galuzin assumed the role in 2018. He has served in Japan four times, stretching back to the days of the Soviet Union.
Galuzin promoted cultural exchanges between the two countries, while taking a hardline stance over the issue of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
Japan calls the islands the Northern Territories.
Galuzin says Japan should recognize that the islands became Russian territory as a result of World War Two.
In February, just before Russia invaded Ukraine, he told NHK that Moscow had no intention of waging war.
He has since sought to justify the invasion, and also Russia's unilateral annexation of Ukrainian territory.
Russia's state news agency also reported about Galuzin's impending departure from Japan.