Japan concerned about threat of use of nuclear weapons by Russia

Japan is concerned about the threat of the use of nuclear weapons by Russia, First Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori has said.

Russia has repeatedly denied nuclear rhetoric on its part, TASS reports.

"Japan is seriously concerned about the threat (use) of nuclear weapons from Russia. Such a threat is absolutely unacceptable, and Russia should not use nuclear weapons under any circumstances," the deputy minister said following a trilateral meeting with First Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Cho Hyun-dong.

Takeo Mori said that following the talks, the parties agreed to continue supporting Ukraine, as well as to continue imposing sanctions against Russia. These issues will be raised at the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

The Japanese diplomat did not specify what he considers the threat of the use of nuclear weapons by Russia.

The Russian presidential press secretary, Dmitriy Peskov, said in September that Moscow would not develop the topic of nuclear escalation. According to the Kremlin, the topic is being developed by people "who behave irresponsibly".