Russia demands Japan investigate protest outside its Tokyo embassy

The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are believed to have offshore oil and natural gas reserves, plus gold and silver deposits.

The bottom line =/

"Russia is demanding that Japan investigate a protest that took place outside the Russian embassy in Tokyo, and warning that it could open its own criminal case in the matter."

Russia can open whatever it wants but it has no jurisdiction in Japan whatsoever. But then again what can you expect from a country that steals territory from another that's already surrendered, ignores the objection of it's allies, then legalizes it within it's own country in violation of international law?

OssanAmerica,

"But then again what can you expect from a country that steals territory from another that's already surrendered". Read the article, namely the bit where it states "Russia’s holding of four Pacific islands it seized from Japan in the waning days of World War II". I think that says it all, its only the Japanese news that reports the islands "stolen" after they surrendered.

As for their request its fair and reasonable after all the protesters did break Japanese law by their actions the Russians are only asking that Japan uphold its own law not to much to ask l dont think

"Last Tuesday evening in Moscow, a group of about seven people burnt a national flag of Japan in front of the Embassy of Japan, and threw eggs at the glass of a guard station of the Embassy of Japan. The Embassy of Japan expressed regret to the Government of the Russian Federation, and requested appropriate action on this, as well as its efforts to prevent the recurrence of such an incident."

Press Conference by the Deputy Press Secretary, 17 February 2011, MOFA

Throwing eggs... very classic.

They should have desecrated the embassy, not just a flag.

"In a separate statement, ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Russia “reserves the right to call Japanese hooligans to criminal responsibility in accordance with Russian law."

Guess he means the Russian laws that crush legitimate decent.

paulinusa,

"Guess he means the Russian laws that crush legitimate decent" no he means Japan should get off its weak a** and uphold its own laws which these people broke. Or is it ok to break the law in Japan?

AdamB,

Which Japanese law are you talking about? According to NHK news, Japanese government has concluded that under the domestic law these uyoku people cannot be subject to criminal liability..

lalasalama, This is what l am talking about, "In Japan, under Chapter 4, Article 92 of the Criminal Code, any desecration of recognized foreign nation's national flag and symbol to dishonour is prohibited and punishable by fine or penal labour, but only on complaint by the foreign government" As a foreign government has lodged a complaint then the Japanese government is bound to act. unless the Japanese government is saying that the uyoku are not bound by Japanese law or that the Japanese government is too weak to uphold their own laws????

Oh, tx AdamB;)

The logic of the Japanese government is that because it was a handmade flag, uyoku action do not apply to article 92 violation. Very funny..

But Japan should definitely have the same law to protect its own flag as well. Why are they only protecting foreign flags?

lalasalama,

Looking at the pictures if that was a homemade flag the maker should get a job making flags for a living it was that good.....

As for your second comment yeah its weird they protect foreign flags but not their own, weird!!!

A flag is a piece of cloth. Get over it.

Boo Hoo ! Give the islands back to Japan- you did steal them at the end of the war.

VicMOsaka,

ever heard the saying "to the victors the spoils" l think in this situation very fitting.

If the protestors had been burning the Japanese flag, they would have been arrested instantly, whether it was homemade or not.

Come on Russians, this is Japan, you mess with Japan you have to mess with the entire AMERICAN hamburger, so take a deep breath and let Japan have some fun, you know this is a FREE country, and if the Japanese want to protest near your embassy, too bad, I am sure Russians go around protesting and doing worse things in their own country, to non Russians etc..