Japan’s “militarization” complicates the state of affairs within the Asia-Pacific area, the deputy chair of the Russian Security Council and former President Dmitry Medvedev stated on Sunday.
Russia and Japan have advanced relations marked by a long time of territorial dispute over a handful of small, Russian-held islands off Hokkaido that Moscow calls the southern Kurils however Japan claims as its Northern Territories.
The dispute over the realm, which the Soviet Union seized within the closing days of World War Two, has prevented Tokyo and Moscow from reaching a peace treaty formally ending hostilities.
“It is regrettable that the Japanese authorities are pursuing a course towards a new militarization of the country,” the Russian TASS news company quoted Medvedev as saying.
“Troop exercises are taking place near the Kuril Islands, which seriously complicates the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Japan’s international ministry and Prime Minister’s Office couldn’t instantly be reached for remark outdoors business hours.
Russia determined this yr to declare Sept. 3 — the day after Japan’s give up in World War Two — a “Day of Victory over Militaristic Japan”, spurring a protest from Tokyo.
Medvedev stated Japan, with assist from the United States, was increasing its army infrastructure and rising its arms purchases.
Japan’s protection ministry on Thursday sought a document $53 billion in subsequent fiscal yr’s price range, a part of its greatest army buildup since World War Two, aiming to double protection spending to 2% of gross home product by 2027, citing an more and more assertive China and an unpredictable North Korea. —Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
