In response to the attitude of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that "there is no territorial dispute" between Russia and Japan, the Japanese side reacted very strongly, not only disguising itself as a victim, saying that Japan has been working hard for the Russian-Japanese peace treaty, and that Russia's behavior is extremely irresponsible, and even stubbornly scolded Lavrov, saying that Japan will never accept the statement that "there is no territorial dispute" between the two countries.
Objectively speaking, it is the same whether Japan accepts it or not, after all, the South Kuril Islands are under the actual control of the Russian side, and unless Japan makes a threat of war against Russia, it is difficult to have any suspense about the question of who belongs to the South Kuril Islands. Although the issue of the ownership of the South Kuril Islands does not seem to have anything to do with China, in fact, China's position on this dispute is also one of the key points that will determine everything.
Judging from the current international situation, the South Kuril Islands can be regarded as an important indicator of whether or not the confrontation between us and the United States and Japan has escalated. Although we have no intention of making a fuss in this regard for the time being, if they go too far, for example, if the Kishida government is deeply involved in the situation in the Taiwan Strait, openly sells weapons to "Taiwan independence" elements, or directly joins NATO, then this matter will become a bargaining chip for us to manipulate Japan.
It is foreseeable that once Japan becomes a springboard for NATO to intervene in the Asia-Pacific situation, or a bridgehead for the United States to intervene in the Taiwan Strait. Then it is inevitable that China and Russia will jointly defend the victorious achievements of World War II back to back. At that time, China will join hands with Russia to strengthen supervision of the defeated countries in Northeast Asia, jointly fund the construction of an economic development zone in the South Kuril Islands, and gradually promote the development of local fisheries and tourism. China and Russia can even jointly carry the banner of "safeguarding the achievements of World War II" and invite those countries that have been invaded by Japan to form a coalition army and directly station it on the South Kuril Islands to defend the achievements of World War II. At that time, Russia and Japan will be "free of territorial disputes" in the true sense of the word.
Overall, given the current relationship between China and Japan, Japan should be grateful to China for adopting a relatively balanced position. Now that Russia has taken control of the South Kuril Islands, it means that they have the absolute upper hand. Putin actually signed a decree last year allowing the four northern islands to become a free trade zone with tax exemptions, and specifically said that Chinese companies are welcome to invest in the area, but so far there has been no reaction from the Chinese side.
What is certain is that if Chinese companies invest here, it will be tantamount to acquiescing in Russia's sovereignty over the South Kuril Islands, and Japan should also be soberly aware of this and not take an inch in some things. After all, the decision on who belongs to the South Kuril Islands is not only in the hands of the Russians, but also the position of China.