Island of Approach: Russia and Japan discuss resumption of direct flights
Russian and Japanese airlines are discussing the restoration of direct flights, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told Izvestia. However, everything in this matter depends on the decisions of the authorities that coordinate sanctions with the G7 and, in particular, with the United States. Despite the political differences between Moscow and Tokyo, Russian tourists continue to travel to Japan, and visa centers are being prepared to open in Moscow and St. Petersburg. At the same time, experts are sure that global warming in relations between the two countries should not be expected under the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. What Tokyo's new policy towards Moscow depends on is in the Izvestia article.
Direct flights from Moscow to Tokyo
Russian and Japanese airlines are discussing the resumption of direct flights, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told Izvestia.
— Work and consultations are underway between the companies, but everything depends on the position of the Japanese government. We did not cancel or prohibit Japanese companies from flying to Russia, it was Tokyo's decision, not ours. As soon as they mature, please, we don't mind (introducing direct flights. — Izvestia), — said Rudenko.
Direct flights were operated for almost 55 years, until Tokyo suspended them in March 2022 against the background of a special operation in Ukraine, as well as other countries of the "Western camp". Now there are no Aeroflot flights on the Moscow – Tokyo route, nor flights on routes from Russian cities in the Far East (they were operated by S7 Airlines and Aurora). Japanese airlines have started flying over the Russian skies en masse on European routes.
Right now, it's not worth waiting for the introduction of direct flights, Artur Muradian, ATOR Vice President and CEO of the Space Travel tour operator, told Izvestia.
— Japan has a lot of external restrictions that limit the country in its decisions. But there is a possibility of introducing direct flights if there is political will," he said.
The issue of the return of direct flights should be considered in the context of the general sanctions policy against Russia, said Oleg Kazakov, senior researcher at the Center for Japanese Studies at the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
— There cannot be any separate decisions outside the context of all relations with Russia. I think that restoring direct flights is a good idea to start restoring relations, but again, there is a question of sanctions. It seems to me that a separate campaign "Let's restore direct flights", unfortunately, will not take place," the expert commented.
Japan is building sanctions measures against Moscow in coordination with its G7 partners, the European Union and the United States. For example, in September, the country joined the lowered ceiling on Russian oil prices.
Trips from Russia to Japan in 2025
However, Tokyo's hostile policy does not affect Russians' interest in this Asian country. According to the Japan Tourism Authority, from January to September 2025, about 130 thousand citizens of the Russian Federation visited it. For comparison, for the whole of 2024 there were 99 thousand of them, and in 2023 there were only 42 thousand.
At the same time, there is also a decrease in air ticket prices. The fork in 2023 was about 45-80 thousand rubles, in 2024 — 50-60 thousand rubles. In 2025, transfer tickets could be purchased for only 35-45 thousand rubles during the promotions. Although during the tourist peaks — on New Year's Eve and during the cherry blossom period — prices reached 90-100 thousand rubles.
The increase in tourist traffic is largely due to Japan's loyal visa policy and affordable air transportation, Artur Muradyan continued.
— Japan is one of the "monsters of tourism". They have a combined tourist volume of 35 million trips per year. And, of course, no matter how much the Japanese themselves resist tourists, the country's tourism industry is apolitical. She knows how to adapt to the needs and is ready to work with all clients," the expert noted.
Due to the growing demand, Japan has decided to open visa application centers in Russia. To organize the work of such places, it is planned to conduct a competitive selection and select a private contractor. According to Japanese media reports, Tokyo plans to open one center each in Moscow and St. Petersburg as early as 2026.
This is a positive step for tourists, Muradyan believes. Russians will have more opportunities to apply for a visa, but the opening of such centers does not mean the liberalization of Japan's visa policy. On the contrary, Tokyo may go for its tightening.
— Japan has an excessive tourist flow for such a small country. We can see that for countries that have a consular fee, its cost has been significantly increased. Yes, it's still available, but it's a tightening line. Accordingly, the next step in the same logic is the introduction of a consular fee or stricter requirements for those countries where it does not exist," the ATOR Vice President emphasized.
At the same time, the issue of further tightening or simplifying the visa policy depends on how Japan is ready to put its national and economic interests above international sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, Muradian concluded.
Will relations between Moscow and Tokyo change
At the same time, the dialogue between Russia and Japan remains tense. One of the main issues in relations between the two countries, the Kuril Islands, has been frozen after Tokyo's sanctions. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that they see no reason to resume negotiations because of the position of the Japanese authorities.
As a response, Russia lifted the visa-free travel regime for former residents of the "northern territories". These were organized group trips by residents of Hokkaido and the Southern Kuril Islands with special certificates. They have been in operation since 1992. In September 2022, Moscow cancelled the agreement due to Tokyo's unfriendly policy.
At the same time, the new Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, during a keynote speech in parliament on October 24 confirmed her intention to resolve the issue of the "northern territories" and conclude a peace treaty with Russia. Moscow reacted cautiously. The Kremlin said that Takaichi's words rather deserve to be welcomed, and recalled that Tokyo takes an unfriendly position towards Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry also recalled the bellicose rhetoric of the Japanese authorities, but at the same time expressed their readiness to discuss a peace treaty if it changes.
Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi
It is not yet possible to talk about a peace treaty between Moscow and Tokyo, Kazakov believes. Takaichi is on the sanctions list for a ban on entry into the territory of the Russian Federation, which reduces the chances of positive developments in relations between the two countries. But there are also positive trends.
— Takaichi is a systematic person who cares about security, and it's probably not necessary to talk about security in the Asia-Pacific region without Russia right now. And Takaichi should probably understand that it is necessary to build not confrontational, but more neutral relations with Russia," Kazakov stressed.
At the same time, Tokyo's dialogue with Moscow will depend on the further development of US-Japanese relations. The United States is Japan's key ally in the region, primarily in the defense sector. If we build even closer ties with the United States, relations with the Russian Federation will most likely not develop. The day before, Donald Trump arrived in Tokyo immediately after the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. There, together with Sanae Takaichi, they signed an agreement on rare earth metals, and also announced the beginning of a new "golden era" in relations between the states.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
