Russia warns Japan's remilitarization threatens national security

The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Japan's remilitarization and the deployment of medium-range missile systems on Japanese territory pose a direct threat to Russia's national security and the stability of Northeast Asia. During a meeting with Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko expressed concern regarding Japan's expanding military activities alongside the United States and other Western allies near Russia's Far Eastern borders.

Russia warned that it would take necessary compensatory measures to maintain its defense capabilities if these activities continue. Moscow also criticized Tokyo's stance on several issues, including Japan's military assistance to Ukraine and its protests regarding President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the Southern Kuril Islands.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Japan to prioritize diplomacy, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Japan's participation in Western-led sanctions has made reciprocal concessions difficult.