Russian forces to conduct drill in east, including disputed islands with Japan

Watch out for troops in unadorned combat uniforms suddenly appearing on the islands.

Thunderbird: they're Russian islands, so what if they do? They have every right to carry out these drills.

Oh, so, Russian forces are to conduct drills with Japan, I thought.

Smith, this quote from above:

The drill will also include landing airborne troops on islands claimed by Japan.

Claimed by Japan. Not Russian.

smithinjapan: and I suppose it would be ok if Japan conducted equivalent military drills in Hokkaido?

Thunderbird: yes, I know, but lived on and controlled by Russia; so who's going to 'look out' for them? Japan can claim them until the cows come home.

Jay Wilson: why not? They already engage in "take back/defend the island" drills not far from the Senkakus with the US. Hokkaido is Japanese land.

Can the Rasputins be trusted?

They could claim to be "pro-Russian, Japanese separatists who-happen-to-look-Russian."

It's like the Crimea that it is now in the hand of the Russians but will never be officially recognized by Europe as Russian territory. Nobody could do anything, if the Russians will do drills, we can be lucky that we do not live in a country anymore that would react with direct war.

That is the poor thing on the other side, other countries not thinking this way can and seem to use that 'advantage'.

Putin on Wednesday accused the West of using the Ukraine crisis to reinvigorate NATO, and said Moscow will ponder a response to the alliance’s decision to create a rapid-reaction “spearhead” force to protect Eastern Europe.

Ponder a response . . . yeah, yeah. Oh, of course, Putin (and/or Moscow) thought the west had no choice but to do nothing, not even ponder a response to Russian aggression Putin keeps lying about - of course. This Putin, the self anointed president for life is a sly calculating fox who thinks he has the west in his vice, uhh, vise. He might be right or he might be wrong when the west keeps pushing back and the man starts losing support in his own country.

"they're Russian islands"

No, they're Japanese islands controlled by the Russians since they stole them at the end of WW2.

I can't help but think that by Japan taking sides in the Ukraine issue and imposing ridiculous sanctions on Russia, they've screwed themselves when it comes to the islands.

Russia is a wretched hive of scum and villainy, and putin is nothing more than a dictator/murderer. Maybe without this leadership, russia could become a more pleasant place

Ok Japan! Put your balls where your mouth is and send your military to the islands to stop Russia using them as a base. C'mon! I dare you! You changed the constitution so you could do it, now do it!

Actually, Japan hasn't changed the constitution, however, a re-enactment of certain naval battles disguised as an "exercise" might remind the Russians just how up-to-date their military equipment is today, too.

Russia and china should be isolated from the rest of the world

overchan, who are the rest of the world? You are forgetting that Middle Kingdom is the engine of the world. You don’t want the world to stall, do you? A lot of people may be out of a job including you. Both Japan and the US need China for their economies to hum along and maintain their standard of living. Isolation is no longer work against China, as can be seen from the way the US trying to get China on board on every issue. “Why can’t we be more like China,” Obama once said.

SmithinJapan

Thunderbird: they're Russian islands, so what if they do? They have every right to carry out these drills.

And by that reasoning I assume you would support Japan's right to conduct similar such drills on the Senkakus?

Jay Wilson: why not? They already engage in "take back/defend the island" drills not far from the Senkakus with the US.

Smith

I wouldn't call San Clemente island "not far from the Senkaku's".

Russia is taking a long term approach when viewing its interests in Asia. With China's economy growing rapidly and with an equally capable and evolving military, Russia's interests would be best by solving its problems with Japan should relations with China turn negative. Even though relations with China are strong at present, Russia could see itself as minor partner in the future if China's power continues to grow with assertive interests in Siberia.

sfjp330, when you said with the long term approach it would be best for Russia to solve its problems with Japan, but how is that possible when Japan has to get approval from the US for every move that it makes with Russia? For Russia to bend is unlikely as Russia has the upper hand in dealing with Japan. The problems cannot be resolved as long as japan continues to be part of the West in trying to isolate Russia and there is no way that Japan can break the alliance in favour of Russia. When Russia can solve the problems with the West everything else will fall into place as far as Japan is concerned, but that scenario may only be possible if China creates a problem for Russia. China is a better bet in all cases whether it is a short term or long term because China will always be there for Russia and there is nothing that sits in between China and Russia relationship unlike with Japan where the US is always lurking in the background. Notice that China and Russia have been getting closer every day since the Ukraine crisis, and there are more and more the military drills and postponing meetings that seem to slap Japan in the face. Japan has been in the losing position in terms of economy and foreign policies while China has been gaining all along.

@flowers

In China-Russia alliance, there could be potentially high costs of such an alliance due to common problems such as fears of abandonment and entrapment. China could be dragged into an unnecessary war by Russia. Also, Russia is not that interested in this alliance idea as Russia is unwilling to be China’s junior partner in the relationship. Besides, Russia wants to maintain good relations with all Asian states and thus will not side with China when it comes to territorial disputes between China and Japan. China-Russia alliance is unrealistic and a strategic partnership is more flexible and better for China.

Dylan Otoshiro: I can't help but think that by Japan taking sides in the Ukraine issue and imposing ridiculous sanctions on Russia, they've screwed themselves when it comes to the islands.

Even if they had not rightfully imposed sanctions, Putin and his ilk NEVER had any intention of solving this dispute with Japan.

Serrano: No, they're Japanese islands controlled by the Russians since they stole them at the end of WW2.

Well said my friend

Jay WilsonSep. 13, 2014 - 08:27AM JST Putin and his ilk NEVER had any intention of solving this dispute with Japan.

In 2004, Putin indicated that the offer of a return of the two southernmost islands was still on the table, but showed no signs of relinquishing the two larger islands.

If US as a hegemon is weakening, which it is, there will be expansionism by Russia and China. I hope Japan beefs up its military for its own defense.

sfjp330: In 2004, Putin indicated that the offer of a return of the two southernmost islands was still on the table, but showed no signs of relinquishing the two larger islands.

But he has said in 2006 that Russia will now give Japan no territory. So how can that offer still he on the table?

Ok Japan! Put your balls where your mouth is and send your military to the islands to stop Russia using them as a base. C'mon! I dare you! You changed the constitution so you could do it, now do it!

Are you mad? Japan may succeed in removing the Sov... I mean Russian forces from the Islands, but then what about when the next wave comes? Hmm? You know, the ones with bombers, missiles and more firepower than Japan could cope with?

Realistically, Russia lost twenty million in the war so they're prob not gonna give back islands just because they took it after japan raised up its hands. Japan is lucky they didn't take Hokkaido too.

This potentially suggests a possible take over of hokkaido in not to distant future.

wonderer13: This potentially suggests a possible take over of hokkaido in not to distant future.

Yes, and if my grandmother had wheels she'd be a wagon

AlexNoaburg: Realistically, Russia lost twenty million in the war so they're prob not gonna give back islands just because they took it after japan raised up its hands. Japan is lucky they didn't take Hokkaido too.

So because they lost a few soldiers fighting the Nazis, that gives them the right to STEAL from an opponent who has SURRENDERED?

Yes, and if my grandmother had wheels she'd be a wagon

Yeah, it probably sound stupid, right? But, just remember how the WWI started. Who believed assassination of monarch could have led to a war? Anything can happen and no one knows what can happen in the future.

So because they lost a few soldiers fighting the Nazis, that gives them the right to STEAL from an opponent who has SURRENDERED?

Which right Japan used, when it occupied Manzhou or Taiwan and etc.? Sword-law. So when USSR used sword-law against Japan - it becames some especial case?

And yeah, Japantoday's moderator are hate truth about Japan's crime during WWII, so they deleted my previous comment?

wonderer13: Yeah, it probably sound stupid, right? But, just remember how the WWI started. Who believed assassination of monarch could have led to a war? Anything can happen and no one knows what can happen in the future.

That will be a bit difficult as my grandmother has been dead these past 14 years

Kungaa Mergen: Which right Japan used, when it occupied Manzhou or Taiwan and etc.? Sword-law. So when USSR used sword-law against Japan - it becames some especial case?

Let me remind you of one thing: THE BIG BRAVE STOLE THE ISLANDS AFTER JAPAN SURRENDERED.

Jay Wilson: Let me remind you of one thing: THE BIG BRAVE STOLE THE ISLANDS AFTER JAPAN SURRENDERED.

If Russia had stolen Hokkaido as well, the lack of empathy from the rest of the world would still be evident, given that the backdrop consists of Manchukuo, Rape of Nanjing, bombing of Chongqing, etc., etc. Japan is SO lucky to have retained Hokkaido.

turbotsat: If Russia had stolen Hokkaido as well, the lack of empathy from the rest of the world would still be evident, given that the backdrop consists of Manchukuo, Rape of Nanjing, bombing of Chongqing, etc., etc. Japan is SO lucky to have retained Hokkaido.

Luck had nothing to do with that; it was down to McArthur. And if Putin was serious about peace with Japan, then why not offer the two islands once again? But he won't do that as he is not serious about peace with Japan and wants to wring as much as he can out of Tokyo while giving NOTHING in return

@ Jay Wilson

Why should Russia be offering anything at all? You shout a lot about something being stolen. Truth is, the USSR entry into war with Japan was a condition imposed by your allies U.S. and U.K. If you have a problem with that, perhaps it would be good to ask them why they imposed such conditions.

Besides, Japan is still technically at war with Russia. There has not been any peace treaty. If your country surrendered, how come there is still no peace treaty between the two countries? It is because Japan does not want to sign any. Hence, Japan did not surrender to USSR/Russia, hence the war is still going on. And thereby, nothing has been stolen.

It was down to Truman, who refused to give the Russians the same leeway in Japan that they had got with Germany (Russia couldn't have been countered in East Germany, anyway, without starting a new war).

But that's still luck on Japan's part. A gift granted from the Heavens.

http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/02/opinion/l-truman-told-stalin-not-to-invade-japan-374495.html

(Letters to the Editor) - Truman Told Stalin Not to Invade Japan - February 2, 1995

We now know from Russian sources that the Soviets were preparing an invasion of the northernmost Japanese home island, Hokkaido, one that would have taken place Aug. 25 -- two months before the planned United States invasion of Kyushu. ... It would have been a cobbled-together, single-division affair, but no matter. A Soviet landing of any sort would not only have given Stalin a voice in the surrender agreement but would also have made Hokkaido a Soviet occupation zone (and possibly Tokyo as well). ... Truman cautioned Stalin not to make a move on Japan, and at the eleventh hour he called off the invasion. In hindsight, Truman's firmness may have been one of the truly crucial moments of the developing cold war. ROBERT COWLEY Editor, MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History New York, Jan. 31, 1995

Tyrants like Putin must be dealt with force, Putin will take a foot if you give in an inch. US, Japan and hopefully Korea as well should have joint drills to show Putin Japan will not just watch idly by.

zaldaus: Why should Russia be offering anything at all? You shout a lot about something being stolen. Truth is, the USSR entry into war with Japan was a condition imposed by your allies U.S. and U.K. If you have a problem with that, perhaps it would be good to ask them why they imposed such conditions. Besides, Japan is still technically at war with Russia. There has not been any peace treaty. If your country surrendered, how come there is still no peace treaty between the two countries? It is because Japan does not want to sign any. Hence, Japan did not surrender to USSR/Russia, hence the war is still going on. And thereby, nothing has been stolen.

Actually, it is Russia that does not want to sign a peace treaty. If they did, they would have to return two of the islands, which they have no intention of doing. And you are wrong, the war ended when Japan surrendered; it was AFTER the surrender that the islands were stolen from Japan

Russia, get lost! Your forces are "old fashioned!" Japan will invade & get their islands back soon!

the war ended when Japan surrendered;

Blah-bla-blah, some guy, who japanese people call imperator for a no reason said that Japan surrendered. But it doesn't mean that japanese soldiers stop the fight, battles continued till september. So surrendered de-jure, but doesn't surrendered de facto. Also, after surrender US keep occupation policy and for example, separated in february 1946 Amami island from Japan. So US just like USSR stole islands from surrendered Japan. How rude, muricans!

Russia, get lost! Your forces are "old fashioned!" Japan will invade & get their islands back soon! Ha-ha-ha. You know that Russia's military doctrine allow use nuclear bomb against countries, which doesn't own nuclear bombs? So how much of population Japanese government ready to lost for getting back 4 islands? 50 mln? 70? 126? After invasion Japan will be not only country that suffered nuclear bombing, but also will be country which fully destroyed by nuclear power. Keep in mind that Russia still has nuclear bombs t destroy not only Japan, but also half of world.

God, why after ending Cold War people in the west became such stupid, during Cold War they were at least realistic and knew about risk of angering the bear.

If anyone here thinks that Russia will return any of the islands, then you are deluded