Japan has criticised Russia’s navy for conducting live-fire missile tests around the disputed islands claimed by both countries. Russia’s Pacific fleet said it fired Bastion surface-to-ship missiles from Etorofu, the largest of the four islands, striking all targets about 300km away in a simulated attack on enemy vessels.
The drills are scheduled to continue through 29 August. Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, said the military activity strengthened Russian forces on the Four Northern Islands and conflicted with Japan’s position on the territories.
What Russia’s exercises involved
Russia said the missile launches were part of large-scale Pacific fleet exercises that began on 4 August. The drills included a nuclear-powered submarine and a guided-missile cruiser, according to the source report.
The Russian news agency Tass said the manoeuvres involved approximately 60 surface ships, submarines and support vessels; about 30 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial systems; and more than 13,000 service members.
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How the dispute escalated
Japan was informed in advance that the exercises would include live-fire activity and lodged a protest on 5 August. The manoeuvres triggered a tit-for-tat summoning of ambassadors in Tokyo and Moscow after Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu the previous week.
The islands are called the Northern Territories or Four Northern Islands in Japan and are considered part of the Kuril Islands by Russia. The territorial dispute dates back to the 19th century, after the Soviet Union seized the islands from Japan at the end of the second world war.
Why the islands remain a flashpoint
Motegi made his criticism on Thursday during a trip to Oman, saying Japan could not tolerate steps to strengthen military power on the islands because they ran against Tokyo’s territorial position.
Putin observed part of the exercises from the Russian flagship Varyag on 12 August during a visit to the disputed islands and Sakhalin. Speaking aboard the ship, he said the region was becoming more prone to conflict and cited what he described as efforts to deploy new weapons systems there.
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