Russia has issued a formal protest against Japan’s deployment of U.S.-made Typhon medium-range missile systems on Kyushu, citing potential threats to regional security. Moscow’s Foreign Ministry sent a protest note earlier this month, urging Tokyo to reconsider its decision as it could undermine peace and stability in the area.
In a meeting with Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto in Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko reiterated these concerns. The Russian government called for the removal of the missile systems, emphasizing the importance of addressing their security apprehensions seriously.
The issue adds another layer to the ongoing tensions between Russia and Japan, which already face a longstanding territorial dispute over the southern Kuril Islands. Russia currently controls these islands, but Japan claims them, and the disagreement has prevented the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty since the end of World War II.
Russia maintains that its sovereignty over the Kuril Islands is well-established, a stance that continues to be a significant point of contention in Russian-Japanese relations. As both countries navigate these diplomatic challenges, the recent missile deployment has added complexity to their already strained interactions.