Opinions & Interviews

Japan-Belarus relations described as ‘very close, direct’

MINSK, 17 March (BelTA) - Host of the Japanese TBS TV channel Shigenori Kanehira shared his impressions with journalists after an interview with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, BelTA has learned.

The interview with the head of state lasted about an hour and a half. A significant part of it was devoted to the situation in the region, in particular the events in Ukraine, security, opportunities for a peaceful settlement of the conflict and the role of Belarus in these processes. Another major topic was nuclear energy, which is of particular relevance for Japan that survived the accident at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant. The interview also covered the bilateral relations between Belarus and Japan. In addition, the president was asked to share his opinion on the collapse of the Soviet Union, personal and professional relations with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.

The journalist said that the very fact of landing an interview with the Belarusian leader was a big event for him. Shigenori Kanehira had been waiting for this opportunity almost a year and a half since he sent the request for the interview. "The conversation was a direct, frank dialogue. I am very satisfied," the journalist shared his impressions.

Close cooperation between Belarus and Japan is based, among other things, on the experience of both countries in responding to nuclear accidents, the journalist said. For Belarus, it was the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, for Japan - the nuclear power plant in Fukushima and the tragedy in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"As for the relations between Japan and Belarus, I believe that they are very close, direct, since your country suffered from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant," he stressed.

However, today the cooperation at the state level is difficult due to circumstances, the journalist said. Yet, it is possible to develop relations between ordinary people. "If we talk about relations between our countries and peoples, I very much hope for further deepening of relations at the level of ordinary people, professionals, including journalists," he said. " I think our relations can develop at the level of ordinary people, peaceful citizens but not so much at the level of governments.”

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