On the peculiarities of Russian-Japanese relations in the humanitarian sphere in 2022

The article examines some aspects of Russian-Japanese relations in 2022, due to the end of the COVID-19 epidemic and the beginning of the special Russian military operation in Ukraine. The epidemic has significantly weakened the humanitarian ties between Moscow and Tokyo, and the Ukrainian factor has put the bilateral political relations almost on the verge of collapse. Nevertheless, the humanitarian cooperation was not completely destroyed – cultural events continued both in Russia and in Japan. Sharp deterioration of the Russian-Japanese political and economic relations in 2022 actualizes the importance of “soft power”, which is able to prevent a complete rupture of the ties between countries, and for this it is necessary to maintain and develop the humanitarian cooperation. It will contribute to the full-fledged interaction of the states in the future, but after the elimination of the reasons hindering this process.