**Russia Criticizes Japan Over US Missile Deployment**
Russia has formally expressed its discontent with Japan regarding the recent deployment of US mid-range Typhon missile systems on Japanese territory. The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, labeled the presence of these systems as "unacceptable" and a significant threat to both national security and regional stability.
In a statement released on Friday, Zakharova revealed that Russia had sent a protest note to Japan on September 3, following the US military's installation of the missile launchers on Kyushu, a southwestern island located approximately 1,300 kilometers from Vladivostok, Russia. She emphasized that Moscow has demanded the Japanese government cease this practice and remove the missile systems from its territory, asserting that Russia opposes such deployments regardless of their duration.
The Typhon missile systems were brought to Japan's Kanoya Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture in June as part of the Valiant Shield military exercise. They are currently scheduled to remain in Japan for additional drills throughout the month of October before departing Kanoya in mid-October. However, it is anticipated that the systems will be stored at other US military facilities within Japan after their departure. Notably, no live firing exercises are planned during this deployment.
The Typhon system is capable of launching SM-6 missiles and Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, which have a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers. This deployment follows the US's withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which had previously prohibited the development and deployment of ground-launched and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.
Zakharova's comments come in the context of broader regional tensions, as she pointed out that China has also lodged a similar protest with Japan regarding its military activities, particularly its ongoing remilitarization efforts.
The situation is further complicated by the longstanding territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over the four southernmost Kuril Islands. These islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union following Japan's defeat in World War II, and Japan continues to claim sovereignty over them, referring to them as the Northern Territories. The islands in question are Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islands.
In recent developments, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup, labeling it "absolutely unacceptable." This visit was met with heightened tensions, as shortly thereafter, Russia conducted missile drills near the southern Kurils, involving naval assets such as the cruiser Varyag, the nuclear-powered submarine Omsk, and a Bastion coastal missile system. This military activity prompted another protest from Tokyo.
The ongoing dispute over the Kuril Islands has historically hindered efforts for Russia and Japan to finalize a peace treaty, a goal that has remained elusive since the end of World War II. Negotiations were suspended by Moscow in March 2022, following Japan's participation in Western sanctions against Russia in response to the conflict in Ukraine.
As the situation evolves, both nations appear to be entrenched in their positions, with military posturing and diplomatic protests likely to continue shaping the relationship between Russia and Japan in the near future.