According to the Russian news agency Sputnik, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declares that the South Kuril Islands are an integral part of Japanese territory and are currently illegally occupied by Russia. Japan intends to insist on concluding a peace treaty with Russia after the territorial issue is resolved. In response to this, the Russian ambassador to Japan responded in an interview with the media on May 9 that Japan's pathological obsession with its illegal territorial claims and its refusal to accept the outcome of World War II, which was recognized by the UN Charter, is another typical example. The current Kishida government has still failed to face the facts objectively, and the rhetoric of increasing confrontation is clearly out of touch with reality, and these words are also unacceptable to Russia. #绍伊古被任命为俄安全会议秘书 ##普京为何临阵突然换帅#
(Pictured is the Kuril Islands)
In addition to the verbal response, the Russian Defense Minister has ordered the strengthening of the construction of radio stations along the coast of the Russian Far East, in particular, the establishment of more observation posts in the South Kuril Islands. In addition, ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet recently conducted live-fire drills in the waters of the Sea of Japan. Two anti-ship "Termite" anti-ship missiles were launched, which successfully hit targets at a distance of 90 km. #俄军向南千岛群岛增派导弹#
(South Kuril Islands)
In fact, the South Kuril Islands are almost entirely volcanic and have no resources other than fish, but they are of great strategic value. Japan is a small island nation with a certain distance from the mainland, so the primary target of expansion is the surrounding islands. Japan's annexation of the Ryukyu Islands and its coveting of the island of Taiwan is a strong proof of this, so it is naturally reluctant to give up the disputed South Kuril Islands. For Russia, the South Kuril Islands are surrounded by the Pacific Trench, and with the protection of the archipelago, the Russian Navy can enter and exit the ocean more safely. Correspondingly, for the United States, if it controls the archipelago, it will be able to block Russia's access to the sea. Therefore, the United States is willing to support little Japan on the issue of the ownership of these islands and reefs.
(The picture shows the Russian-Ukrainian war)
At present, there are several reasons why Japan has taken a tougher stance. The first is the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has made Russia more isolated in the international community due to sanctions imposed by Western countries. Therefore, on the issue of the ownership of the South Kuril Islands, Japan can get more support from Western countries. On the other hand, because of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Russia has concentrated a large amount of military resources on the battlefield in Ukraine, and the military power in the Far East has become more empty, which may have given Japan some illusions that it can seize these disputed islands.
In fact, in terms of conventional military strength, Japan really has a considerable advantage over Russia in the western Pacific region. The most obvious is the navy, which has developed a powerful maritime force since the Cold War to meet the needs of the United States to contain the Soviet Union. Thirty years have passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Japan, with China as its imaginary enemy, is still constantly updating its navy's combat ships. If you look at the current situation of the Russian Navy, the capital ships are basically the legacy left by the Soviet Union. In addition to displacement, there was already a noticeable gap in a lot of capabilities and Japanese ships.
(The picture shows the Russian Pacific Fleet)
Hokkaido, which is adjacent to the South Kuril Islands, is also the main station of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Japan's heavy armored forces, which are basically deployed here, are obviously aimed at Russia. The Russian Army is deeply trapped in the battlefield in Ukraine, and if it really wants to carry out an operation to seize the island, I am afraid that it will not have an advantage. But will Japan really be able to seize the South Kuril Islands through military adventures? In fact, it may not be big, because Russia has the important killer weapon of nuclear weapons. The use of tactical nuclear weapons can effectively contain Japan, and it may not be possible to use such weapons against Ukraine, which is related to itself, so there may be no psychological obstacles to dealing with Japan.
What's more, Russia has also deployed hypersonic weapons in the Far East, and Japan's air and anti-missile forces may not be able to effectively intercept them. Japan's rhetoric has already made its attitude clear, but if it wants to use military power to seize the South Kuril Islands, I am afraid that it will face a huge nuclear risk.