politics

Japan criticizes Russia for laying undersea cables to disputed island

26 Comments
By ANDREY KOVALENKO

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2018 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

26 Comments
Login to comment

...which were occupied by the Soviet Union in the closing days of World War II

The reason that the islands are disputed is because WWII hasn't actually come to a close. Both countries are still at war. The final status of the islands can only be resolved through a formal peace treaty.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Me Suga should go and study Japan’s history as to why Japan doesn’t control the islands anymore.

And the islands aren’t disputed!

Russia controls and administers them, Russians live there!

12 ( +17 / -5 )

Never get them back, lesson.....don't start wars when you lose you lose. As much as the LDP wish to return to their apparent Golden age the results were hardly positive.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hehehe ... laying cable ...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This is back stabbing,back stabbing.......! How can Mr.Putin bwhaces so ungrateful?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

The Islands are disputed under International Law; the fact that Russia controls them in neither here nor there.

Japan has never acquiesced to Russia's possession, hence the reason it keeps protesting since 1945. Therefore the islands will not belong to Russia legally until this is formally settled via legal means.

And prior to the well intentioned but clueless decide to dive in, this is what differentiates the Kuriles from the Senkakus issue.

China accepted Japan's possession by not objecting to it for half a century, thus forfeiting any "rights" they may have had. That's why China refuses to go to Court, instead risking another beating by attempting to take them by force.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

Is Russia following the China model of slowly encroaching? It is a show of ownership by investing in it.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Like Crimea, the islands have been swallowed up by Mother Russia.

Burp.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I am furious about this. So sick of Japan being bullied by all nations (except USA). When Constitution gets changed by PM Abe, Japan will once again be able to stand up for herself, and fight for her legal territory. And just when we all thought the island-sharing treaty was imminent.

-14 ( +4 / -18 )

Aren't they tired of it, Japanese gov I mean..

I don't really understand the point of these statements... Kurils always belonged to Russia .. Japan briefly had em when Russia was weak but it was quickly corrected.

Not sure what is connection to bullying,China,enroaching and so on.. Japan was the aggressor, lost wars and lost gained territories.. why would anyone give it back... winner keeps all.

So yea.. please forget about Kurils, forever.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

When Constitution gets changed by PM Abe, Japan will once again be able to stand up for herself, and fight for her legal territory.

Are you actually suggesting military action against Russia? Be very careful what you wish for!

9 ( +11 / -2 )

It seems that Japan should not do large economic infrastructure supports to these islands from the beginning. Putin would never negotiate and compromise about these islands returning to Japan. Russia can do it by itself.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Russia at the top end and the USA at the bottom end "Shut Up Japan in the middle"

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Oh, geez!!

So, let's see.

A bunch of human beings with human needs live there. Regardless of who the islands belong to.

However, because Russia controls the islands and Japan objects to that, Japan has a problem with Russian actually exercising its responsibilities with respect to the people that live there.

So, Japan, according to this logic, Russia should not:

Supply the islands with food and gas.

Provide them with clothing and other supplies.

Do anything to improve the quality of life of the people living there.

Etc., etc.

Right, so basically Japan wants to make the people that live there suffer miserable lives because Japan doesn't get to control the islands.

That's a really way to win sympathy, Japan!

Sheesh.....

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Japan criticizes Russia for laying undersea cables to disputed island why!? Russia owns them , Russians live on them , Russia can lay cables anywhere in their own territory whenever they see fit.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Japan will once again be able to stand up for herself, and fight for her legal territory.  lol compared to Russias military Japan is a pesky insect. Dont expect America to come to Japans aid if they want to invade. fact is the islands are now Russian, unless Japan can offer huge politician and financial concessions then thats the way it going to stay

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Therefore the islands will not belong to Russia legally until this is formally settled via legal means. legality whats that!? ownership is 9/10 of the law. America and NATO cant reverse Russias annexing of Crimea, what chance do you think Japan has of doing this to the Kurils

9 ( +10 / -1 )

You're never getting the island back. Ask Ukraine

4 ( +5 / -1 )

They're probably just getting high speed internet. Relax Japan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Although disputed, whoever controls the islands has a certain obligation for the people living there. Criticicing Russia for doing so is just a hasty, not thought through reaction. The topic "disputed or not" deserves another discussion. Nevertheless fact is, that no other country having an island dispute with Japan wants the matter to be settled by the ICJ while Japan, to my knowledge, already declared to accept any ICJ verdict.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"legality whats that!? ownership is 9/10 of the law. America and NATO cant reverse Russias annexing of Crimea, what chance do you think Japan has of doing this to the Kurils"

Legality is something legislated, later obtained through a statutory body.

Ownership is 9/10 of the law and all that its' OK in street parlance; this is not a legal precept anywhere in the world. After 4 years Law Degree at Uni, plus 1 extra year at Law School, countless textbooks and case law, I have never come across such Jurisprudence; it does not exist.

To put it simply:

If your next door neighbour takes your property forcefully, he/she will have possession and enjoyment. Not legal title though. That will be yours for eternity, until transferred through various means I shall not waste time addressing.

It's certainly true that Russia enjoys possession, but legal title rests with Japan. Furthermore, even Russia accepts this is the case, by trying to return 2 island of the chain.

Also, the Kuriles were not part of Russia (as someone stated) when taken by force; Kuriles and South Sakhalin were exchanged in accordance with proper international law. 

Same with Crimea, a gift from the Soviet Union to Ukraine, now annexed by Russia. It's illegal!

Reversing those illegalities is another kettle of fish, however they're still illegalities.

And to whoever questioned why China was brought up, try reading on prescriptive law (not a doctor’s prescription)!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Gambare was just being funny.... he knows if Japan was to militarily challenge Russia it would get whooped pretty quick.

Marcelto - nationalists are not known for their sense of humour, I assume s/he was being serious.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I too believe the islands are lost to Japan. Since the USA has become hostile to Japan, it is now required to get a peace treaty with Russia. It is more important to have a reliable supply of fuel than the 4 islands. Trump is going to stab Japan in the back. It is time for Japan to swallow its pride and take what is offered.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites