Beijing ** reported that Dmitry Medvedev, who is in charge of holding security talks, said that Russia has plans to develop new military equipment in the South Kuril Islands. Medvedev published an article on his social networks saying that Russia, in strengthening its strategic position, will vigorously develop the Kuriles, among which it will be possible to deploy new types of military equipment in the region. "Russia does not care about the feelings of the Japanese about its northern regions," Medvedev said, adding that "this land has nothing to do with Russia." Medvedev also said that while seeking to sign a peace agreement with Russia, Japan also wants to consult with Russia on the issue of the South Kuril Islands, while continuing to impose sanctions against Russia.
At the same time, according to Japan's "Reference News", Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivered an important speech at the plenary session, in which he said that Japan is ready to sign a peace agreement with Russia, but will insist on sanctions against Russia and provide support to Ukraine. He said"We will continue to vigorously promote the imposition of sanctions against Russia and provide assistance to Ukraine"γHe said that the tension between the two countries is due to the special military operation taken by Russia against Ukraine. "However, Japan will continue to work towards an agreement on the region and reach a peace agreement," he added. β
The Kuril Islands are the southern region of the Kuril Islands in the northwest of the Pacific Ocean, and its area is 503833 square kilometers. Now it is effectively controlled by Russia, with a predominantly Russian population. Japan, on the other hand, claimed ownership of the area and named it the "Kitakujima". This action by Japan** was unilaterally confirmed by the United States**, and as a result, ownership of the area becomes even more confusing. The largest of the four islands, Zertori Island covers an area of 3,200 square kilometres. Japan has long considered the Kuril Islands part of itself and has several times asked Russia to take them back. But Russia categorically opposes the claims put forward by Japan and insists on ownership of the region.
Russia's reluctance to give up the South Kuril Islands is also understandable. First of all, the South Kuril Islands have an extremely important geographical position, bordering the Japanese mainland, where Russia can station its troops, and it can deploy strategic weapons here, which is like a sword of Damocles, hanging over the head of Japan; Secondly, the Russian Pacific Navy enters the Atlantic Ocean from the Kuril Islands, from the survey to all the ports in North America, passing through this island. Third, in the surrounding areas of the archipelago, a large number of rare minerals and minerals have been excavated, including 1,867 tons, 9,200 tons, 3,900 tons of titanium, and 36 tons of rhenium, the only rare mineral in the world.
When Japan once again asked to discuss the ownership of the Kuril Islands with Russia, Russia did not take it seriously at all, because according to the treaties of the Second World War, the islands were Russian, and if Japan refused to sign the Peace Treaty, then Medvedev would have yelled and made the Japanese commit suicide, and then announced that Russia would develop the Kuril Islands and lay out a new type of ** on them.
Of course, the armistice agreement proposed by Fumio Kishida is also for the sovereignty of Japan and Russia. However, to date, the South Kuril Islands remain in the hands of Russia. For Japan, the recapture of the South Kuril Islands will not be an easy task. Japan made it clear in the San Francisco Treaty of 1951 that it did not claim sovereignty over the Kuril Islands. In addition, after the long operation of the South Kuril Islands, most of the people living here are ethnic Russians. Both culturally and in everyday life, the people here are very close to Russia.
While Japan has repeatedly stressed the need for a peace agreement to resolve the issue, Russia's behavior shows that it has no intention of budging. For Russia, it is no longer possible to cede its sovereignty. This is not only a regional issue, but also related to Russia's important position in the Pacific. In a sense, this is also for their own safety. Japan, on the other hand, clearly disagrees with Russia's behavior. Japan has always claimed ownership of the islands, but has not recognized Russia's occupation of the islands. This time, Russia announced that it would deploy a new type of ** on this island, which is undoubtedly a blow to Japan.
Japan's so-called "signing of a peace treaty" should mean dividing the four islands equally, that is, Russia and Japan should take two shares. The plan was proposed to Putin in 2018 by Shinzo, who demanded the return of Japan's islands of Shikotan and Hamai, while the other two islands were owned by Russia. After the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Japan took advantage of Russia's self-care to show more assertiveness on the "Kitakushima" issue, and they wanted to use this to bring Russia back to the negotiating table. However, Russia has no intention of backing down, and its posture is even stronger than Japan's, and it has even held a large-scale military exercise in the island country to warn Japan not to daydream.
Since the middle of the last century, Japan and Russia have signed an agreement on the South Kuril Islands, which has become the biggest obstacle between the two countries. While calling on Russia to return the South Kuril Islands to the United States, Fumio Kishida also reiterated that Japan will continue to impose sanctions on Russia, while also helping Ukraine. It is not easy to find from Japan's recent actions against Russia that Japan is still very close to the United States and Europe in its policy toward Russia.
Fumio Kishida's statement about the continuation of sanctions against Russia may be an attempt to cater to Russia's current situation. In the international community, sanctions are often used to express complaints or objections to a State's actions. At this time, the reason why Japan continues to impose sanctions against Russia is likely to be to put more diplomatic pressure on Russia so that it can have a greater say on the land issue. However, there are certain risks associated with this move. First, these measures can make the relationship between the two sides more strained, which can make the problem more difficult to deal with. Second, the response of the American people to this resolution is also something to consider.
However, Japan's sanctions have not affected the advantage of being a step-by-step on the battlefield, and Japan will increase additional sanctions against Russia in January next year, which also add the property of three Russian-related enterprises and 36 personnel, as well as the export of important strategic resources to Russia, as well as exports to 49 Russian enterprises, such as high-pressure water guns, semiconductor equipment, explosives, robots, etc. In addition, Japan has also given support to Ukraine. Japan's Yoko Nagami Kawa carried out an emergency rescue to Ukraine on January 7 next year, and also guaranteed the purchase of its latest unmanned aircraft monitoring device.
In addition, Japan's Ministry of Economy and Trade also issued a statement saying that "in view of the situation around Ukraine, Japan will unite with other major powers to contribute to the promotion of world peace." β
February** power stimulation program