Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev again criticized Japan . According to close allies of President Vladimir Putin, Japan’s militarization of Japan complicates the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Russia and Japan have a complex relationship marked by decades of territorial disputes over several small Russian-controlled islands off the coast of Hokkaido. Moscow calls the island the South Kurils, but Japan claims it is the Northern Territory.
Disputes over the area, which the Soviet Union captured in the final days of World War Two, have prevented Tokyo and Moscow from reaching a peace treaty that formally ends hostilities. “It is regrettable that the Japanese authorities are taking the path towards a new militarization of the country,” Russia’s TASS news agency quoted Medvedev as saying.
“Troop exercises are underway near the Kuril Islands, which seriously complicates the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Japan’s Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office were yet to comment.
Russia decided this year to declare September 3 as “Victory Over Militaristic Japan.” September 3 was the day after Japan surrendered in the Second World War. The declaration of victory day sparked protests from Tokyo.
Medvedev said Japan, with the help of the United States, was expanding its military infrastructure and increasing weapons purchases. On Thursday last week, Japan’s Ministry of Defense increased the budget by US$ 53 billion compared to the previous fiscal year.
Source : Tempo.co
