Japan protests against Russia’s military exercises on the Kuril Islands
At a Budget Committee meeting of the lower chamber of the Japanese Parliament, Foreign Minister Taro Kono expressed a strong objection against the beginning of the Russian military exercises on the Kuril Islands, Kyodo news agency reports.
According to the report, Russia’s exercises contradict the position of Japan on the four Northern islands (the South Kuril Islands).
Shortly before, week-long military exercises started on the islands of the Kuril Ridge, Interfax reported, citing the spokesman for the Eastern Military District, Alexander Gordeyev. According to him, over 2,000 servicemen and about 500 units of military equipment are involved in the exercises.
Servicemen will descent to one of the Kuril Islands “in order to improve air assault skills in severe climate conditions.” Soldiers will also carry out searches and block a hypothetical secret subversive group on the island of Kunashir.
On February 1st, the Russian Government allowed the Ministry of Defense to use a civilian airport on the island of Iturup in the Kuril Ridge. According to RBC news agency, the Japanese Embassy in Russia stated that the Russian Government’s decision “contradicts the position of Japan on these islands”. The diplomatic mission stated that this can lead to “a strengthening of the Russian military forces on the four Islands.”