Japan Wary over Russia’s Vostok-2010 Military Exercises

Japan is starting to get really pissed about these Russian military exercises on Etorofu Island, among the disputed territories of the Kuril Islands.  From The Japan Times:

A Russian Foreign Ministry official told ITAR-TASS that Russia “has the right to choose the place of the exercise.” Russia’s new military doctrine adopted in early February lists “territorial claims against the Russian Federation and its allies and interference in their internal affairs” as one of “the main external military dangers” to Russia. On July 7, in a somewhat malevolent move, the Duma passed a bill designating Sept. 2 the anniversary of the end of World War II. On that day in 1945, Japan formally surrendered to the Allied Powers.

Russia should realize that its behavior on Etorofu Island cannot have a positive effect on bilateral relations. Japan, for its part, should avoid responding emotionally and firmly maintain its official stand on its sovereignty over the Northern Territories.