MUNEO Suzuki, opposition member of the Japan Innovation Party, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrey Rudenko, in Moscow.
This is the first time that a Japanese lawmaker visited Russia since it launched its so-called special military operation in Ukraine.
Suzuki, who is from Hokkaido, Japan, arrived in Russia last Sunday.
He is set to go back to Japan, on Thursday.
Suzuki is a longtime champion of close ties with Russia, he considered visiting the said country in the spring of 2023 but stopped short of making such a trip at the request of the leadership of his party.
In a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said that the Japanese government discourages its citizens from travelling to Russia regardless of the reason or the purpose of their visit.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, meanwhile, said that Suzuki did not disclose his plans to the government in advance.
Suzuki’s trip had been reported to the upper house in advance, but not to the government.
Japan Innovation Party said it is considering taking disciplinary action against Suzuki for failing to comply with the necessary travel procedures with the party when travelling abroad.
Ahead of his departure, Suzuki attended a gathering in Tokyo last Friday, wherein he said that he would face Russia and continue to make correct decisions regarding the relations between Tokyo and Moscow.
