Russia has formally demanded that Japan withdraw the U.S. Typhon missile systems installed on Kyushu Island and has urged Tokyo to "fully recognize the results of World War II" and "abandon its remilitarization policy," in a context of rising tensions in the area.
The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zajarova, explained that Moscow sent a note of protest to the Japanese authorities on September 3 for "the deployment of U.S. Typhon missile systems in Kyushu" and emphasized that the document "reflects that Tokyo has once again taken this step despite Russia's repeated assertions about its concerns regarding threats to its national security, regional peace, and the stability posed by the deployment of these weapons in the Japanese archipelago."
She detailed that the diplomatic note "emphasizes the inadmissibility of the advanced deployment of the mentioned systems by Japan on its territory, under any pretext and regardless of the duration or method of deployment," for which Moscow requests Japan "to put an end to this practice and withdraw such systems from its territory," according to a statement released on social media.
Zajarova also indicated that Russia conveyed to Tokyo "the necessity for Japanese leaders to fully recognize the results of World War II, including the territorial aspects related to the Southern Kuril Islands, and abandon their remilitarization policy."
The spokesperson added that on the same Friday, a meeting was held with the Japanese ambassador in Moscow, Akira Muto, who was urged to take "the content of the previously sent note very seriously," also reminding that China has already expressed similar concerns about Japan's "remilitarization" and the deployment of Typhon missiles in Kyushu.
Russia had already summoned Muto in mid-August to protest against the harsh criticisms of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands, an archipelago controlled by Russia but disputed by Japan. In addition to aligning with international sanctions against Moscow due to the war in Ukraine, Tokyo has strengthened its joint military exercises with the United States in the Pacific Ocean.