Contents tagged with Kuril Islands
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Japan protests against Russia’s military exercises on the Kuril Islands
At a Budget Committee meeting of the lower chamber of the Japanese Parliament, Foreign Minister Taro Kono expressed a strong objection against the beginning of the Russian military exercises on the Kuril Islands, Kyodo news agency reports.
According to the report, Russia’s exercises contradict the position of Japan on the four Northern islands (the South Kuril Islands).
Shortly before, week-long military exercises started on the islands of the Kuril Ridge, Interfax reported, citing the …
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Russia to establish military air base on disputed Kuril Islands
The Russian Ministry of Defense received permission from the government to use the airfield on the Kuril Island of Iturup as an air base, according to an order signed by the Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev.
"The "Sakhalin Region" section of the list of joint base aerodromes of the Russian Federation to be supplemented with the following entry: Iturup - civil - the Ministry of Defense of Russia," the document says.
In 2016, Bastion and Bal coastal missile systems were deployed to the southern …
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Russia to establish naval base on Kuril Islands
An airport network is to be restored on the Kuril Islands, work on its creation is connected to the establishment of a Russian naval base, announced Senator Frants Klintsevich as reported by RIA Novosti.
The naval base will accept “any ships”, including first rank vessels. Work to establish the base will begin soon, the senator noted. “Everything is going strictly according to plan, without rushed bursts,” he added.
As Interfax reports with reference to Klintsevich, organizational matters are …
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Japanese Prime Minister urges Putin to make peace treaty on Kurils
Russia and Japan need to overcome all the challenges, put an end to the “abnormal situation”, and make a peace treaty regarding the Kuril Islands, stated Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Eastern Economic Forum, Interfax reports.
According to Abe, in the last year Russian and Japanese relations have seen the beginning of the progress which the countries had been unable to achieve in 70 years. He added that soon it may be possible to see the “bright future of Russian-Japanese relations, …
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Putin believes that Americans want to send troops to the Kuril Islands
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he is "aware" that the Americans are drawing up plans to transfer their military to the Kuril Islands. He voiced such considerations at a meeting with the heads of world news agencies, responding to a question from a correspondent of the Japanese news agency Kyodo.
"As for the theoretic possibility that US troops might emerge on the islands, if we assume that the sovereignty over the islands might be transferred to Japan - yes, such a possibility …
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Russia will complete the installation of missile systems throughout the country in 2017
In 2017, Russia will complete the installation of missile systems that will "protect the entire perimeter of Russia, both from the sea and from the air," claimed Russian Defense Minister, Army General Sergei Shoigu, on March 20th, according to Russian media reports, while Shoigu was commenting on the results of the Russian-Japanese discussions in Tokyo.
“We will complete the full security of the entire perimeter of the Russian Federation, both from the sea and from the air this year. Leaving …
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Japan proposes development plan to Russia regarding disputed islands
Japan is prepared to propose to Russia a specific plan for the general economic development of the islands which both nations claim, reports Nikkei Asia Review.
The Japanese government is proposing to develop the islands located north-east of Hokkaido as a tourist destination, with the aim of attracting Japanese visitors.
According to this plan, private Japanese and Russian companies will jointly offer tourist cruises to the islands controlled by Russia, which Russia calls the Southern …
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Japan voices protest against Russia over plans to station division in the Kuril Islands
The Government of Japan has voiced protest over the Russian Defense Ministry’s plans to place a division in the Kuril Islands within the year. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced the official position at a press conference, reports Nikkei media outlet.
According to Suga, the strengthening of Russia's military presence on the Kuril Islands "is incompatible with the position of Japan." Suga also added that the issue would be discussed at a meeting of the foreign and defense …
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Russia to form four new divisions in 2017, including in the Kuril Islands
The Russian Ministry of Defence plans to complete the formation of four new divisions in 2017, and included in this will be the protection of the Kuril Islands. This was announced on February 22 in the State Duma on the television show “Parliamentary Hour” (Parlamentsky Chas) by Minister of Defence Sergey Shoygu, TASS reported.
“This year we hope to fully put in place three divisions on the western border and in the southwest. We are actively protecting the Kuril Islands. We must place a …
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Abe hopes to reach an agreement with Russia over Kuril Islands
On Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he plans to visit Russia early this year in order to reach a settlement on the contested Kuril Islands, TASS reported.
Speaking in the Yamaguchu Prefecture, Abe said, "Having the firm intention to settle [Kuril Islands] within this generation, we hope [to apply] every effort for negotiations.”
"For that, early this year I want to visit Russia,” Abe added.
The dispute over the four Kuril Islands, which Tokyo considers its “northern …