Russia warns Japan over 'historical distortions' in films

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that Moscow had noted repeated distortions of history in Japanese films and would take appropriate action if Tokyo continued such activities.Speaking at a regular press briefing, Zakharova cited Japanese films dealing with the Southern Kuril Islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, the Russo-Japanese War and Soviet intelligence operatives. She pointed to the 2003 Japanese film Spy Sorge, saying it glorified counterintelligence operations during Japan's militarist era.Russia advocates an objective interpretation of history, including in the film industry, Zakharova said, citing Red Silk, a Russian-Chinese co-production. She added that a sequel, Black Silk, was in development.Zakharova also expressed concern over Japan's remilitarization, citing increasingly frequent military exercises near Russia's borders, the deployment of short- and medium-range missile systems during drills, and Japan's refusal to recognize the outcome of World War II.Moscow is closely monitoring these developments, which it considers detrimental to its security interests, she said.(Cover: File photo of Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. /VCG)