Russia has issued a formal protest against Japan’s decision to deploy U.S.-made Typhon medium-range missile systems on Kyushu, citing security concerns. The Russian Foreign Ministry conveyed its apprehension earlier this month, suggesting that the missile systems could destabilize regional peace and urging Japan to reconsider their placement.
The protest was further reinforced by Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko during his meeting with Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto in Moscow. Russia’s appeal emphasizes the need for Japan to address its security concerns seriously and remove the missile systems from the southern Japanese island.
This diplomatic tension unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing disputes between the two nations. Central to these disputes is the unresolved territorial conflict over the southern Kuril Islands, which are under Russian control but claimed by Japan. This territorial issue has persisted since World War II, preventing the signing of a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan.
Russia has consistently maintained that its sovereignty over the southern Kuril Islands is firmly established, a stance that contrasts with Japan’s claims to the territory. As the disagreement continues, the recent missile deployment on Kyushu adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between the two countries.