Japan embassy expresses appreciation to Russia

Japan embassy expresses appreciation to Russia

MOSCOW, Russia - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono (R) shakes hands with members of the Russian team who engaged in rescue work in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow on April 19. The embassy held a gathering to thank Russia for its support after the disaster.

Japanese ambassador to Russia

Japanese ambassador to Russia

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Nov. 3, 2010, at Narita international airport in Chiba Prefecture shows Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono. The Japanese government is considering replacing Kono over his information gathering on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's November visit to a disputed island, sources said Dec. 23, 2010.

Recalled Japanese ambassador returning to Moscow

Recalled Japanese ambassador returning to Moscow

NARITA, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono is leaving Narita airport near Tokyo for Moscow on Nov. 7, 2010. Japan had Kono return to Moscow after recalling him following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri Island off Hokkaido, one of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

Japan warns Medvedev over island visit

Japan warns Medvedev over island visit

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara speaks to reporters after meeting with Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2010. Maehara warned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev not to make additional visits to the disputed islands off Hokkaido.

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

NARITA, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono speaks to reporters upon his arrival at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on Nov. 3, 2010. Kono came back to Japan in the wake of a bilateral rift following a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to one of the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

NARITA, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono arrives at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on Nov. 3, 2010. Kono came back to Japan in the wake of a bilateral rift following a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to one of the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.

Japanese official says Japanese rice aid being distributed to al

Japanese official says Japanese rice aid being distributed to al

BEIJING, China - Masaharu Kono, deputy director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Bureau, holds up in Beijing on Aug. 12 a label that North Korea is putting on bags of rice provided by Japan as aid. Kono said after a five-day visit to North Korea that he believes Japanese rice aid is reaching all sections of the country's population.

Japan embassy expresses appreciation to Russia

Japan embassy expresses appreciation to Russia

MOSCOW, Russia - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono (R) shakes hands with members of the Russian team who engaged in rescue work in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow on April 19. The embassy held a gathering to thank Russia for its support after the disaster. (Kyodo)

Japanese ambassador to Russia

Japanese ambassador to Russia

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Nov. 3, 2010, at Narita international airport in Chiba Prefecture shows Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono. The Japanese government is considering replacing Kono over his information gathering on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's November visit to a disputed island, sources said Dec. 23, 2010. (Kyodo)

Recalled Japanese ambassador returning to Moscow

Recalled Japanese ambassador returning to Moscow

NARITA, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono is leaving Narita airport near Tokyo for Moscow on Nov. 7, 2010. Japan had Kono return to Moscow after recalling him following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Kunashiri Island off Hokkaido, one of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan. (Kyodo)

Japan warns Medvedev over island visit

Japan warns Medvedev over island visit

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara speaks to reporters after meeting with Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2010. Maehara warned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev not to make additional visits to the disputed islands off Hokkaido. (Kyodo)

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

NARITA, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono speaks to reporters upon his arrival at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on Nov. 3, 2010. Kono came back to Japan in the wake of a bilateral rift following a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to one of the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan. (Kyodo)

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

Envoy to Russia returns to Japan

NARITA, Japan - Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono arrives at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on Nov. 3, 2010. Kono came back to Japan in the wake of a bilateral rift following a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to one of the Russian-held islands claimed by Japan. (Kyodo)

Japanese official says Japanese rice aid being distributed to al

Japanese official says Japanese rice aid being distributed to al

BEIJING, China - Masaharu Kono, deputy director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Bureau, holds up in Beijing on Aug. 12 a label that North Korea is putting on bags of rice provided by Japan as aid. Kono said after a five-day visit to North Korea that he believes Japanese rice aid is reaching all sections of the country's population.