New Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev handed his credentials to Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 23.

But in a rare move, the Imperial Household Agency did not release footage of the ceremony to the media.

The agency normally provides media organizations with videos of the credential ceremony on request.

However, it did not record footage for media use during the Russian envoy's ceremony.

Japanese officials said the government took into consideration the international situation involving Russia.

The post of Russian ambassador to Japan had been vacant for more than one year as bilateral relations have chilled following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As Nozdrev's appointment became formal, resumption of dialogue between the two countries is expected to be explored.

On the same day, new Greek Ambassador to Japan Nicolaos Argyros also handed his credentials to the emperor.