LOC09:45
06:45 GMT
TOKYO, March 17 (KUNA) -- Japan said Monday it would not accept the results
of Crimea's weekend referendum on seceding from Ukraine and urged Russia not
to annex Crimea.
"The referendum was illegal and against Ukraine's Constitution. Our country
does not approve the result," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a
press conference.
"Japan will strongly urge Russia to fully abide by international law
completely, respect Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity of its territory, and
not to annex Crimea," the top government spokesman said.
Suga's remarks come after preliminary results of Sunday's referendum showed
more than 95 percent of voters in Ukraine's Crimea region backed joining
Russia and seceding from Ukraine.
As for possible sanctions on Russia, Suga said Japan will cooperate with
other Group of Seven countries.(end)
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KUNA 170945 Mar 14NNNN