politics

Russia sends missiles to Pacific islands claimed by Japan

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Hope Abe-san asks Putin-san where those missiles are aimed. If any of them are facing anywhere in Japan pressure should be put on Putin to either turn them around in some other direction ... or get them off the island. Actually, they have no business of being up there anyhow.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

edojin, hahaha, wake up and smell the coffee, will you? Jeez, Russia has absolutely nothing to lose, and it amazes me that they even accept discussion the issue.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I would think the missiles would face upwards and could be aimed in any direction Russia wants.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

edojin: " If any of them are facing anywhere in Japan pressure should be put on Putin to either turn them around in some other direction ... or get them off the island. Actually, they have no business of being up there anyhow."

They are Russian islands, bud, plain and simple, and Russia has any business being there it wants. Japan, on the other hand, has none. The other thing they have nothing of in this dispute is leverage; obviously Abe's "progress" on the issue is anything but, since Russia would hardly deploy missiles on lands it was going to give up. And has Abe cancelled or threatened Putin's trip here -- which Japan begged long and hard for? Nope. In fact, not a word about it. We might hear that the missiles are "regrettable" from Suga, but that's about all we'll hear on the issue aside from more Abe promises.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Burning Bush, FYI, Russia has just unveiled the legendary Satan 2 rocket. Nobody and nothing comes close to this technology. Yep, humankind can destroy itself very efficiently nowadays:

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/26/europe/russia-nuclear-missile-satan-2/

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Moscow has deployed new anti-ship missiles on Pacific islands that are controlled by Russia but also claimed by Japan.

This just shows Putin is not thinking the way Abe is thinking. Is there still any point in Putin visiting Japan next month? Or is Abe just interested in economic cooperation with Russia for the sake of his supporters from business sector and not interested in getting back the northern terrritory?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Abe gives Russians a visa free status and Putin gives Japan a Cuba style crisis in return. The whole place will be awash with spies and sleepers. Satan (pun intended) stand the behind me.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

No doubt they will be put to good use when Russia and China agree to attack Japanese territory, if not Japan itself. Japan is severely outgunned. China is betting they will be left alone by the U.S. It's a 50/50 bet. But of course they need to move quick, because Japan will simply feed a lot more money into its defence as a result, and Japan is more than capable of producing their own nukes, despite their history. That's what happens when you back is against the wall. You do things you never thought you would ever do.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Jap[an's right wing screwed themselves. If the Senkakus belong to Japan because Japan has been occupying them, it follows that the Kuriles belong to Russia because Russia has been occupying them.

By claiming the Senkakus, you threw away your claim to the Kuriles.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Russia won't do a damn thing. It's just a cold threat. Putin is sick and probably mentally incapable of handling the country, I'd worry about the next dictator.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

LMFAO Japan signs a tourism agreement and the next day Moscow send missles. WOW talking about a filthy handshake!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Russia is maybe the biggest enigma of all the surrounding countries aka neighbors. They manage to thrive although ideology has past out long ago. But then their opponents are just testing their limits right now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It could have been much worse. If the Allies had had to invade the Japanese homeland to effect a surrender, then the Soviets would have been asked to help, and today half of Japan might be ruled by a puppet Russian government.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

gaijintraveller: " If the Senkakus belong to Japan because Japan has been occupying them, it follows that the Kuriles belong to Russia because Russia has been occupying them."

And Dokdo, as well. But you always hear the "It's different!" excuse when the shoe is on the other foot and they demand it go to the ICJ, etc.

Misunderstood: "LMFAO Japan signs a tourism agreement and the next day Moscow send missles. WOW talking about a filthy handshake!"

Because Japan always thinks it can treat international politics like it treats the fools at home, and they get hoodwinked every time. They try to play both fields, thinking they are making progress, then get rightfully screwed by themselves. They thought they could sanction Russia, then give money to them and ask for cooperation, saying to both parties, "Please understand and cooperate!" They simply do NOT know how to deal in international politics! Just look at how they screwed themselves on the sub deal in Australia, how they could have had the TPP signed ages ago if they hadn't insisted on it being a one-way street, etc. They can't play they way they have been playing and ever win, and Russia knows it and is just walking all over them.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

"They are Russian islands, bud, plain and simple"

" the islands, seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II"

Might is right!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

OK... when was it decided to place the missiles and when were they actually put there? This could be old news that was dredged up just to create controversy.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Like China, Russia doesn't have to fire a shot. Just wait a few more decades and walk in

0 ( +3 / -3 )

smithinjapanNOV. 23, 2016 - 06:45PM JST They are Russian islands, bud, plain and simple, and Russia has any business being there it wants. Japan, on the other hand, has none. The other thing they have nothing of in this dispute is leverage; obviously Abe's "progress" on the issue is anything but, since Russia would hardly deploy missiles on lands it was going to give up.

If this is your analogy, then Japan have every right to put the missiles in Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. How ridiculous.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

We have the right to place missiles in Hokkaido to counter their missiles. Not the way to get a peace treaty Russia.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If this is your analogy, then Japan have every right to put the missiles in Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. How ridiculous.

Maybe Russia isn't afraid of Japan? In any case, I think it's weird that they put these missiles there after Abe hyped up the recent understandings and coordination with Russia (if it is what Abe said it is). I mean, if there were prior plans to place it there, I would think Russia would've called it off or at least postpone it. Abe looks weak now. He says it's getting closer to finally settling this thing in peace, and it looks like it involves not getting all of the Northern Territories back.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

ThePBot NOV. 24, 2016 - 06:46AM JST Maybe Russia isn't afraid of Japan?

Maybe Russian government doesn't care of their own people's future. Big country like Russia has less GDP then a small country of South Korea. The average Russians make make $450.00 (U.S).) dollars per month. People are struggling. Russian government should focus on improving relations and trade with Japan. But your talking aboutRussia, they will not change. This is a setback for Russia.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

People are struggling. Russian government should focus on improving relations and trade with Japan. But your talking about Russia, they will not change. This is a setback for Russia.

I'm pretty sure Russia would prioritize agreements with plenty of other countries over Japan if it were to help boost their economy, specially when these countries haven't jumped on the sanction-Russia bandwagon, and also that these countries' economies are robust unlike Japan's. Japan's economy isn't looking that well either...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

sfjp330: "If this is your analogy, then Japan have every right to put the missiles in Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands."

I have said and stand behind my comment that Japan has the better claim to the Senkakus, first and foremost because they have been administering them for some time. Still, it does NOT mean that they have the same right to put the missiles on those islands because while the Kuriles have been inhabited as well as administered by Russia for years missile defense is more plausible. There are no people nor have there been on the Senkakus. But still, since you have just said what you said, you are either admitting the Senkakus do not belong to Japan, or the Kuriles are Russian. Which is it?

"Maybe Russian government doesn't care of their own people's future."

And Japan's does? What's the actual debt per person when born here? What are the government's plans to reign in big spending, roll back the aging population crisis? pay for social welfare now and in the future?

"But your talking aboutRussia, they will not change."

Substitute Japan with Russia and it's no different, my friend, save that Russia holds ALL the cards on the island issue.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

smithinjapan NOV. 24, 2016 - 03:46PM JST Still, it does NOT mean that they have the same right to put the missiles on those islands because while the Kuriles have been inhabited as well as administered by Russia for years missile defense is more plausible. There are no people nor have there been on the Senkakus. But still, since you have just said what you said, you are either admitting the Senkakus do not belong to Japan, or the Kuriles are Russian. Which is it?

Who said anything about Kuriles being Russian? If Kuriles being Russian, why would Russia offer two islands back to Japan in 1956? Japan refused. In early 2000's Russia had same offer on the table. Any treaty with Russia is a problem. Japan never offered Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands to any countries. There is no dispute.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

sfjp330: "Who said anything about Kuriles being Russian?"

Doesn't matter how YOU see them, my friend. They are Russian, plain and simple.

" If Kuriles being Russian, why would Russia offer two islands back to Japan in 1956? Japan refused."

Wow... speaking of missiles, you like to shoot your own arguments down well! Why did they offer two islands? Diplomacy. Japan, like you are doing, shot itself in the foot by refusing the islands. But by your own logic, if the islands are Japanese, why did they refuse? See how easily that works? Your logic does not make any sense! You contradict yourself on the Senkakus (I admitted Japan has the better claim, so by your logic the islands in the north are Russian), and do so now again by saying "they can't be Russian if Russia offered two to Japan".

". In early 2000's Russia had same offer on the table"

And once again, based on pride and pride alone, Japan refused. So they can't possibly be Japanese. And fact is, they aren't. If you REALLY don't believe me, though, sfjp, head on over to the islands with your Japanese visa and see what happens. Let us know before you to, though, because you certainly won't be able to tell us about it for a while after.

" Japan never offered Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands to any countries. There is no dispute."

HAHAHA!! Exactly what I was talking about about shooting yourself down! There is no dispute ACCORDING TO JAPAN! There is a dispute according to China and the rest of the world, hence "the island dispute". According to Russia there is no dispute with the Kuriles, and according to South Korea there is absolutely no dispute about Dokdo. So, those nations are right just because they have said there's no dispute? hahaha.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Doesn't matter how YOU see them, my friend.

Right back at you. The isles legally and historically belongs to Japan and is under seize by the Russians. Even the Russians admits this as far back as the 50's when they placed them on the table as negotiation chips for a peace treaty.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Doesn't matter how YOU see them, my friend. They are Russian, plain and simple.

Lol. can't help thinking its your train of thought that is just plain and simple. You stick yourself too much to so called effective control. The case is not that plain and simple

Suggest you read again the definition of uti possidetis and how it was actually refered to at Int'l Court like the case of the Minquiers & the Ecrehous

At the same time, try to think how, then, the cases of Northen Territories and Takeshima cannot be simply equated to the Senkaku case.

Japan, like you are doing, shot itself in the foot by refusing the islands. But by your own logic, if the islands are Japanese, why did they refuse?

When the hell did Japan refuse islands?

Gorbachev,Yeltsin,Putin all historical Russian presidents have been admitted that There's been the dispute over islands. Especially between Hashimoto&Yeltin, the deal was almost closed where he was ready to return not only 2 but 4 islands altogether** back to Japan asking for economic cooperatoins.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@smithinjapan ... you are absolutely correct especially in your first comment! Well said mate!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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