Russia threatens travel restrictions for Japanese officials to disputed islands

Russia sounds like it's taking a page from China's playbook. Why do comments aimed at Japan's domestic audience get under their skin?

The Russians claiming the seized islands as their own! Underhanded tactics days before the inevitable surrender of Japan. Churchill was right at the time.

The Norther Territories have strategic value also.

Cool Russian bear.

YEah! Russia has space problems. No wonder why Russia gets all the hate. (after China of course!)

This is interesting. On the heels of this story, I heard that today in the states of another topic that Russia bared Americans from adopting Russian children. Russia is on a roll, don't know what and why they are doing these things. some believe that Putin is doing this to make a stand and to look strong as a leader to the outside world.

Shinzo Abe is in a trance of exuberance ( meaning: originally would have referred to a cow or she-goat which was making so much milk that it naturally dripped or sprayed from the udder ). He and his group of ' nationalists ' better not create more trouble than the country can take. The hey days of Japanese military supremacy is over. Better lie in bed. The more Japanese antagonism of its neighbours the more chances of another Hiroshima and Nagasaki happening but this time on Tokyo?

z>>Putin is doing this to make a stand and to look strong as a leader to the outside world.

More he plays a macho man game against gays, more he looks like a gay to the world. He is weak under his skin..

Putin, weak ? What are you smokin...

Although I do think the passed anti gay legislation was unfortunate and probably passed for some "under the table" reason of favor... Russia is quite strong today, controlling majority of European LNG and has quite rich and powerful top bracket business leaders... it might be that the country as a whole is poor ,but they have quite a controlling stake in many world issues without actually going to war every other day like the US.

No wonder why Russia gets all the hate. (after China of course!)

More he plays a macho man game against gays, more he looks like a gay to the world. He is weak under his skin..

Most senseless statements I've ever seen here.....

What is the main dfferent between Russia and China?

The Russians don't want a damn fishing Ground !! It's Oil and Natural Gas ! Someone tell Abe to cut a deal with the Russian, better yet a joint operation, for exploration and profit share ! I bet those yo-yo's will hash out a treaty in two weeks and knock-off the Gorilla chest thumping contest , Those Russians aren't fooling me with that Space-Station project. They are surveying with some laser5 equipment for mineral deposits under the sea floor. That's why, all of a sudden Putin's crew is in the Artic claiming territory and fencing off ocean floors....LOL I thought I heard something about Japan finding off shore Gas just recently as well !! Somebody talk to me !!! **

What is the main dfferent between Russia and China?

Russians love Japanese culture and traditions, various consumer electronics and, of course, cars. Russians aren't whining about atrocities of Japanese military forces of WWII times. They aren't demanding apology from Japanese side month by month. You can not see any anti-Japanese demonstrations or rallies on streets of Russian cities and towns. Almost five years ago Russians of Far East used to clash with riot police which was sent by Putin, defending their right to explore Japanese-made cars without high custom taxes. To understand a very serious attitude to Japanese martial arts, you may see a video from World Championship of KUDO or, say training of hand-to-hand combat of Russian Airborn Troops or Naval Infantry. Enough?

The Japanese are historically bands of pirates and bandits who rob, kill and rape. This ethnic characteristic has not changed despite their new clothes. So, whatever they want they claim as theirs no matter what. There is only one way to respond to such thievery; return their actions in kind.

Japan must be fooling itself if they think Russia will give them anything. Russia promised to give back Shikotan and Habomai but backed out of the deal. This proves that Russia can not be trusted to return anything to Japan. The Russians backed out of a 1956 deal to return Shikotan and Habomai, which it was legally required to do, because Japan signed the security alliance with the United States. Now all Russia wants Japan to do is throw money away on the islands because Moscow does not have the money to do it themselves and Tokyo hopes that if they do piss away money on the islands, they hope that Moscow will return the two they offered in 1956 but then backed out of doing. The USSR hinted at the possibility of considering the return of the Habomai Islands and Shikotan if Japan abandoned its alliance with the United States, and when Japan and the US signed the "Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security", Moscow declared that it would not hand over the Habomai Islands and Shikotan under any circumstances unless Japan abrogated the treaty forthwith. Then in 1964, the Soviet Union offered to return these islands if the United States ended its military presence on Okinawa and the main islands of Japan. This is proof that Russia had no intention of returning the two islands they were LEGALLY obligated to return

Japan must be fooling itself if they think Russia will give them anything. Russia promised to give back Shikotan and Habomai but backed out of the deal. This proves that Russia can not be trusted to return anything to Japan. .....This is proof that Russia had no intention of returning the two islands they were LEGALLY obligated to return

So, you dare speak for Japanese people, huh? Russia and Japan can solve their problems as neighbours, without pseudo-wise advices of Big Complaining Mouths from overseas. Futher, the fact that Japan chose a role of a political puppet of Uncle Sam was and IS a main obstacle for a positive solution of a territorial problem. Roll to hell from Okinawa and other places of Japan and Russia will return islands immediately.

Futher, the fact that Japan chose a role of a political puppet of Uncle Sam was and IS a main obstacle for a positive solution of a territorial problem

How on Earth is that a problem? The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security is for Japan's defence and is not directed at any specific country. Moscow is using the treaty as a reason to with-hold the two islands they were LEGALLY obligated to return. Russia has already stated that they will not return the two islands they are obligated to return and will not talk about the other two. They also said that all four islands are sovereign Russian territory and none of the islands will be given to Japan.