Japan urges Russian president not to visit disputed Pacific islands

[Nomenclature]

Japan urges Russian president not to visit disputed Pacific islands | News.com.au

JAPAN has called on Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev not to visit the Pacific Kuril Islands that are at the centre of a territorial dispute, warning of damage to bilateral relations.

Japan's Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara warned that a presidential visit to the islands would "severely hurt ties", the Kyodo News agency reported.

Medvedev earlier called the four islands - which have been disputed between the two countries since the end of World War II - a "very important" part of Russia and announced plans to visit them "in the nearest future".

The Russian president, on a visit to his country's far east, said that only poor weather had prevented him from flying to the islands that day.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku, the top government spokesman, said at a regular press conference: "We have communicated our country's stance to the Russian side through various channels."

Asked if Japan wanted Medvedev to stay away from the islands, he said: "To sum it up, that's correct."

The Kuril Islands, north of Japan's Hokkaido island, have been controlled by Moscow since they were seized by Soviet troops in 1945. The dispute surrounds the southernmost four islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.

Japan has also been sparring with China for the past three weeks in another territorial row, centred on islands located between Japan's Okinawa island and Taiwan which are called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

So the Great Game is on in the Northeast Asia.

I was expecting as much when Medvedev said Sino-Russian relationship was sealed by blood and made references to their 'common enemy' (he didn't name it but it could only be Japan).

Now with the Sino-Russian common front against Japan, Medvedev is even openly suggesting a Presidential visit to the Kuril Islands, which is of course considered extremely provocative by the Japanese.

I think Japan really need to make the decision whether it wants to continue to have maritime disputes with all its neighbors.

Earlier this month Japan just reaffirmed its claim to Takeshima/Dokdo which is under South Korean control. Although given the damaged ties between Seoul and Beijing after the Cheonan sinking it's very unlikely SK will join any Sino-Russian efforts to confront Japan in the foreseeable future, but in the long term there is the possibility three continental powers in the region (China, Russia and Korea) will form a Continental Axis against the maritime power of Japan.

Such confrontation is of course highly undesirable for both Japan and U.S. I think if Japan is worried about such possibility enough, it may consider renouncing its claim over Takeshima/Dokdo islands. So this Sino-Russian common front will put South Korea under the spotlight and give SK leverage over Japan in their disputes.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Japan urges Russian president not to visit disputed Pacific islands | News.com.au



So the Great Game is on in the Northeast Asia.

I was expecting as much when Medvedev said Sino-Russian relationship was sealed by blood and made references to their 'common enemy' (he didn't name it but it could only be Japan).

Now with the Sino-Russian common front against Japan, Medvedev is even openly suggesting a Presidential visit to the Kuril Islands, which is of course considered extremely provocative by the Japanese.

I think Japan really need to make the decision whether it wants to continue to have maritime disputes with all its neighbors.

Earlier this month Japan just reaffirmed its claim to Takeshima/Dokdo which is under South Korean control. Although given the damaged ties between Seoul and Beijing after the Cheonan sinking it's very unlikely SK will join any Sino-Russian efforts to confront Japan in the foreseeable future, but in the long term there is the possibility three continental powers in the region (China, Russia and Korea) will form a Continental Axis against the maritime power of Japan.

Such confrontation is of course highly undesirable for both Japan and U.S. I think if Japan is worried about such possibility enough, it may consider renouncing its claim over Takeshima/Dokdo islands. So this Sino-Russian common front will put South Korea under the spotlight and give SK leverage over Japan in their disputes.

What comes around goes around.

 

[5link]

What comes around goes around.

The Japanese have a navy way more powerful and advanced than yours. Only because of its pacifist nature has it not been more assertive.

 

[no_name]

We should still keep sino-japanese relationship at a healthy level lest we become a shield.

 

[siegecrossbow]

The Japanese have a navy way more powerful and advanced than yours. Only because of its pacifist nature has it not been more assertive.

 

[no_name]

The Japanese have a navy way more powerful and advanced than yours. Only because of its pacifist nature has it not been more assertive.

Are you a japanese expert? Can I replace the word 'japan' and 'yours' in your comment with two other countrys name and replace navy with army?

 

[siegecrossbow]

Are you a japanese expert? Can I replace the word 'japan' and 'yours' in your comment with two other countrys name and replace navy with army?

Of course he was referring to the U.S. Navy .

 

[below_freezing]

The Japanese have a navy way more powerful and advanced than yours. Only because of its pacifist nature has it not been more assertive.

But it doesn't have a carrier, according to you, carrier means everything, so weak low tech crap japanese navy is far inferior to strong godlike indian navy with not 1, not 2 but 3 carriers.

 

[siegecrossbow]

But it doesn't have a carrier, according to you, carrier means everything, so weak low tech crap japanese navy is far inferior to strong godlike indian navy with not 1, not 2 but 3 carriers.

Indian Navy has three carriers?

 

[Desi Sher]

Indian Navy has three carriers?

Only One Operational, 3 are getting built... IAC 1, IAC 2 and INS Vikramaditya

 

[baconlover]

hmmm interesting timing

 

[Luftwaffe]

With DF-21s around I feel relieved.

 

[CardSharp]

With DF-21s around I feel relieved.

Not operational and not for use against India as it is no threat to China.

 

[5link]

But it doesn't have a carrier, according to you, carrier means everything, so weak low tech crap japanese navy is far inferior to strong godlike indian navy with not 1, not 2 but 3 carriers.

You are correct. The Indian Navy is significantly weaker than China's. However I was referring to the comparison between China's and Japan's Navy. You CANNOT argue that China has a more capable navy than Japan. You can continue to believe so if your blind patriotism demands it. Nonetheless the reality doesn't care about what you believe.

 

[CardSharp]

You are correct. The Indian Navy is significantly weaker than China's. However I was referring to the comparison between China's and Japan's Navy. You CANNOT argue that China has a more capable navy than Japan. You can continue to believe so if your blind patriotism demands it. Nonetheless the reality doesn't care about what you believe.

Well convince us of the contrary by arguing with sourced stats and analysis. Otherwise what makes your claim any more valid than below_freezing's.