Russia says Japan’s remilitarization threatens its national security

Russia has accused Japan of increasing its military activities near Russia’s Far Eastern borders, including deploying medium-range missile systems, saying these moves threaten Russia’s national security and stability in Northeast Asia. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko raised the concerns with Japan’s ambassador and warned that Moscow could take “compensatory measures” to strengthen its defenses if the activities continue.

Russia also criticized Japan’s support for Ukraine and its opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the Southern Kuril Islands, which Japan claims as its Northern Territories. Russian officials said Japan should focus on diplomacy, particularly regarding calls to restore visa-free visits to the islands.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since Japan joined Western sanctions against Russia in 2022. Moscow subsequently suspended peace treaty negotiations, ended visa-free visits to the disputed islands and withdrew from talks on joint economic activities there.

Russia says Japan’s remilitarization threatens its national security – CGTN Credit : CGTN