The Japanese government has lodged a formal protest after Russia announced plans to conduct live-fire exercises near the disputed Northern Territories from August 1 to September 1.
According to Defense Blog, citing Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 18, Moscow issued a notice on July 28 informing Tokyo of the drills in waters north of Shikotan Island. The announcement also included navigation warnings for the duration of the exercises.
In response, Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned officials from the Russian Embassy in Tokyo the same day to convey its objection. The ministry stated that Russia’s military activities on the Northern Territories are incompatible with Japan’s position and therefore unacceptable.
Tokyo maintains sovereignty over the four islands off Hokkaido—referred to in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils—that were occupied by Soviet forces at the end of World War II. The territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from concluding a formal peace treaty.
The current drills are part of a wider pattern. Russia has previously notified Japan of similar exercises in April and again between June and July. Japanese officials argue that such activities complicate diplomatic engagement and contribute to heightened regional tensions.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Russia’s repeated military maneuvers undermine stability in Northeast Asia, where Japan is also facing increased Chinese activity in the East China Sea and continued missile launches from North Korea. Despite Tokyo’s protests, Moscow has maintained that the exercises are routine training.
Japan has reiterated that it does not recognize Russia’s presence on the islands or any related military operations. Officials confirmed that Tokyo will continue to assert its position through diplomatic channels while closely monitoring developments.
Earlier, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force announced plans for its first-ever live-fire drill of the Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system near Hokkaido, close to the disputed Kuril Islands, marking a strategic shift in Japan’s defense posture.
-24ca8683eb01b729cd8fae98f952003a.jpg "Ukrainian Ratel-S drone equipped with a downed Shahed warhead. (Source: omelyanovi4/Instagram)")
-0158b6b681e3668f470de36aedad9e3c.jpg "Russian Su-24 bomber moments before Ukrainian drone strike, Crimea. (Source: HUR)")
