Line of coastal defense towers on the base of the tank is-3 on the island of Kunashir in the Kuril chain
Photo:
TASS
Official Tokyo has sent another protest over the South Kuril Islands. This is with reference to the Secretary General of the Japanese government Yoshihide Suga informs RIA “news”.
Earlier this month, the Japanese government called “unacceptable” the assignment of Russian names of five unnamed Islands in the Kuril chain. Now the discontent of Tokyo caused the plans of the defense Ministry to deploy in the Kuril Islands, additional military forces.
We will remind: on Wednesday, defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his speech in the state Duma told about the formation of the military infrastructure in the far East. And noted, in particular, that continues to work actively for the protection of the Kuril Islands, where the end of this year is expected to accommodate the new division.
Reaction from Tokyo was not long in coming.
The Secretary-General of the Cabinet of Ministers of Yoshihide Suga said that Japan has with regret accepted the decision of Russia to increase its military presence on the “Northern territories,” because it “goes against the position of his state.” A Japanese foreign Ministry did not fail to remind that they consider the Islands of the southern Kuril ridge native Japanese.
Meanwhile, as you know, plans for strengthening the defense of the far East was announced, the defense Ministry for a long time. Even in 2015, a decision was made to create a unified system of coastal defense from the South coast of Primorye to the Arctic. That, according to Sergei Shoigu, should provide control of heavy rainfall zones of the Kuril Islands and the Bering Strait, cover routes deployment of the Pacific fleet in the far East and North sea areas. And also enhance the combat stability of naval strategic nuclear forces.
And about the prospect of the deployment of Russian troops in the Kuril Islands, our Minister said back in August last year. In Japan, however, then it is not considered a problem.
Why is it so painfully reacted now?
Because in Tokyo believe the Islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, Habomai – native Japanese. And our sovereignty over these territories do not recognize, – commented a senior researcher of the Center for Japanese studies, Institute of Far Eastern studies Viktor Kuzmenkov. – Any placement of any of our arms, the trip there and our officials will always be appropriately perceived – until the official notes.
We somehow forget about it sometimes and say that we will be with Japan to cooperate.
However, in this respect, nothing has changed. And even the last visit of our President to Japan showed that Tokyo continues to be in their positions in the territorial issue. That is, continues to claim these four Islands.
Even recently signed between our countries the agreement on joint economic development of these territories in Japan, I think, perceive as an opportunity to gradually control over these Islands. But in the medium term, perhaps, the sovereignty over these Islands.
“SP”: – But because Japan accepted the terms of the Yalta conference to return to the Soviet Union southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, and then in the San Francisco Treaty refused to claim to these territories… Or not?
– The fact that the Yalta conference the Japanese do not recognize. They say that it was a secret agreement, and they didn’t sign it.
As regards the San Francisco peace Treaty of 1951, the Japan, indeed, renounced all claims to the Kuril Islands. But since then Stalin refused to sign the Treaty, the Soviet Union had no right to refer to it. Besides, the Japanese do not believe that the disputed Islands are part of the Smoke, so recognize their claims substantiated.
That is, as if they refused the peace Treaty.
Tokyo is building its position so that it is primordial Japanese territories and the Soviet Union, violating the neutrality Pact, illegally occupied them.
Today against Russia this remains the position. But, I think, it is somewhat artificial. Because if we look at pre-war cards (even the Japanese), then these maps all four Islands beautiful image part of Kuril Islands.
“SP”: – For Tokyo is not an argument?
– Apparently not. Because there is continue to stand their ground.
But we, on the other hand, should not, I think, in their position to react as painful as they are – ours. We believe that this is our island and the Russian sovereignty over them has the appropriate international legal formalization, according to the UN Charter and the end of the Second world war. We must do as we see fit.
Military expert, captain of the third rank of a stock Dmitry Litovkin believes that Japan should not worry about the actions of Russia on its territory:
– What you want and where you want to place there and. Our country within its own borders has the right to take any measures to protect from external threats.
It is clear that now the Japanese government is trying to solve the problem of the Kuril Islands. Are some Russian-Japanese talks at the highest level. In recent times, this negotiation process even intensified. And the purpose, may already appeared to be close – hence a painful reaction.
In fact, that we will place equipment in the Kuril Islands was known a hundred years ago. Even Sergei Ivanov, as defense Minister, repeatedly visited the island and inspected the local military infrastructure. And said that “we will be there to put new weapons”.
This fall, as far as I know, they have placed anti-ship coastal missile systems (DBK) “Bal” and “Bastion”. In the future you should see a new air defense system, I think.
We need to strengthen this area. Because the far East we have always been a weak area. Many of our “partners” in those States somehow believe that if there is ten kilometers there is not one person, it’s no man’s land.
This is our territory. And now there is active development. Including in terms of strengthening military power, because that is from whom the defensive barrier to build.
For many years the military infrastructure that was created there in the Soviet period, fell into decay. Now, when Shoigu – she began to develop in full.
In both chambers of the Russian Parliament, too, have commented on the protest the Japanese side. In particular, the first Deputy Chairman of the Duma Committee on international Affairs Dmitry Novikov said that Kuril Islands are Russian territory, and Moscow has the right to take any measures for its protection.
In turn, the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on international Affairs Konstantin Kosachev stressed the fact that in Japan there is no reason for protests about the divisions – neither legal nor political. Because Russia absolutely lawfully to ensure their security within their own territory. However, he noted that it does this, and taking into account the actions of other regional powers, “are not always clear and not always predictable.”