OREANDA-NEWS  There are no positive changes in relations between Moscow and Tokyo. On the contrary, there is a tendency for their further deterioration, said the deputy head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Japan, Charge d'affaires Gennady Ovechko in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"The Japanese side, under far—fetched and unfounded pretexts, introduced illegitimate personal restrictions, interrupted contacts in a number of areas," the diplomat explained.

In addition, the Central Bank's gold and foreign exchange reserves were frozen in the Asian country, investment restrictions and a ban on the export and import of a wide range of goods were initiated, Ovechko added.

It can be said that Tokyo has openly declared its desire to pursue a policy that harms the neighboring country. There is also a tendency for relations to deteriorate even more. Japan, as the G7 chair country, intends to assume leadership in the group to increase pressure on Russia, the diplomat explained.

In April, the Kyodo news agency reported that if the G7 decides to revise sanctions against Russia and approves an almost complete embargo on the supply of all goods, Japan is ready to ban the sale of used cars. As journalists wrote, currently, as part of restrictive measures, Japanese enterprises do not send new cars worth more than 3.6 million rubles to Russia. However, used cars remain one of the main items of preserved exports.

The decision to change the sanctions regime will be discussed at the G7 summit, which will be held on May 19-21 in Hiroshima. It will be attended by the leaders of Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the USA and Japan, as well as the European Union.