Russian diplomats in Japan have become infamous for racking up thousands of unpaid parking fines, prompting frustration and calls for action among Japanese authorities and citizens alike.
According to the South China Morning Post, Russian embassies and consulates are responsible for 63% of all parking fines issued to diplomats in Japan.
As of now, the total stands at 2,418 unpaid fines, and there’s no sign that Russia intends to settle the debt.
The Russian embassy claims diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, but Japanese officials argue that this does not apply to parking violations. Discussions with the Russian embassy in Tokyo have yet to yield results.
For Professor Yakov Zinberg, an expert in international relations, the unpaid fines are about more than money. “It’s not about Russia not being able to afford it, but rather about a symbolic act of contempt,” Zinberg told the South China Morning Post, as cited by Nyheder24.
The public in Japan is increasingly critical of the Russian embassy’s actions. On social media, many have expressed their frustration, with some suggesting measures like banning Russian diplomats from refueling their vehicles in Japan.
The issue reflects a deeper conflict in diplomatic relations: for Japan, it’s about fairness and respect for rules, while Russia’s stance seems rooted in principle and defiance.
