Russia unveiled a statue in Khabarovsk showing a Soviet soldier destroying a stone marker with Japan's chrysanthemum crest. Japan's PM Takaichi called it "completely unacceptable" and demanded its removal. The unveiling was timed for Russia's renamed holiday — "The Day of Victory over Militarist Japan." It follows Putin's first visit last month to Russian-held islands claimed by Japan off Hokkaido. Relations have been deteriorating since Japan imposed sanctions over the Ukraine invasion.