Sept. 3rd: Japan protests Russia’s declaration of victory day

Japan has lodged a protest against Russia over the country’s decision to declare Sept. 3 a day of victory over “militaristic Japan”.

A Japanese government spokesperson calling Moscow’s move “extremely regrettable” said on Monday that it would fan mutual antagonism.

“The passage of this law could not only stir anti-Japanese sentiment among the Russian people, but may also lead to anti-Russian sentiment among the Japanese people,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference.

Russia last week renamed the commemoration day of Sept. 3 – the day after Japan’s surrender in World War Two – as the Day of Victory over Militaristic Japan, according to Japanese media reports.