Russia said on Wednesday that if the United States stationed missiles in Japan, this would threaten Russian security and prompt Moscow to retaliate.
Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday that Japan and the U.S. aim to compile a joint military plan for a possible Taiwan emergency that includes deploying missiles.
It cited unnamed U.S. and Japanese sources as saying that under the plan, the U.S. would deploy missile units to the Nansei Islands of Japan's southwestern Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, and to the Philippines.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Japan of escalating the situation around Taiwan to justify the expansion of military ties with Washington.
"We have repeatedly warned the Japanese side that if, as a result of such cooperation, American medium-range missiles appear on its territory, this will pose a real threat to the security of our country and we will be forced to take the necessary, adequate steps to strengthen our own defense capability," she said.
Zakharova said Tokyo could get an idea of what such steps would entail by reading Russia's updated nuclear doctrine, published last week, which expanded the list of scenarios under which it would consider using nuclear weapons.
On Monday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia would consider deploying short- and intermediate-range missiles in Asia if the United States deployed such missiles to the continent.
Asked about that statement, Zakharova declined to discuss where Russia might site such weapons, but noted that half its territory is in Asia so any Russian missiles potentially deployed east of the Urals would be in that region.
She said Moscow had sent a clear signal to the United States and its "satellites" that Russia would respond decisively and in symmetrical fashion to the placing of land-based medium and shorter-range missiles in various parts of the world.
She said the West should have no doubts about Russia's potential after it launched a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile, the Oreshnik, at a target in Ukraine last week.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.
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Mickelicious
Living Through Another Cuba - XTC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTp_qgh-i4g
mist1
More threats from Russia.
Mr Kipling
No, it is actually more response to threats by Russia. In this case I expect some Russian missiles to be based on the Islands claimed by Japan. A very short flying time to Misawa.
dbsaiya
Kishiba is a fool if he wants to poke the bear.
JJE
Tokyo needs to understand that by hosting offensive US systems, it is putting itself in the firing line.
Nor can it claim "self-defense" over non-UN recognized Taiwan province. It will be an active combatant, thus legitimate target.
Stationing road-mobile hazelnut, with its incredible range, means it won't have to be in the Russian Far East by any measure. But each and every base installation on Japanese soil could be covered.
Gaijinjland
People are really naive if they don’t think the US has already had missiles and nukes on their bases in Japan for the past 70 years.
V Campbell
I believe the count is now 8 or 9 of Poochin's "red lines" that the West has blown through. This coming year will be his last in power.
sakurasuki
Russia have direct border with Japan, of course same thing for US if someone put weapon system in Mexico or Canada. Not so along go Cuba, see what happened.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis
The Trees
Japan clearly needs offensive capabilities considering its neighbors.
It is irrefutable that Taiwan is, by any measure, an independent country and not a province of any other country. With is own economy and trade, government, politics, elections, military, customs and borders, domestic and international affairs- all administered and controlled by itself and answering to no other country, to pretend Taiwan is a Chinese province is demonstrably false. Irrespective of its past those are the facts today and have been since 1949, and with 1895-1945 being a Japanese colony, who really believes Taiwan is or wants to be or should be part of China? Further, if a China attack on an independent Taiwan threatens the livelihood of other independent countries, and Taiwan asks for help, any other country has a right to engage. For China, Russia, or others to pretend such is an internal China issue is an absurd, childish denial of reality.
Meiyouwenti
The U.S. missiles will be deployed on the islands in the East China Sea to counter Chinese military buildup and assertiveness and will pose no direct threats to Russia. Let’s see what kind of decisive response Putin will take in retaliation.
quercetum
Another provocation by the West that will surely fail like Biden’s lost years.
Put tariffs on Canada and deal with your neighbor and the trade imbalance. Economic might is right.
Burgerland
I believe the count is now 8 or 9 of Poochin's "red lines" that the West has blown through. This coming year will be his last in power.
Brave prediction. How much real money would you put on that bet ( this will be Putin,s last year in power).?
Primusinter
A great question! I'm joining you and waiting for an answer
Macca
What's the point of a nation deploying missiles that requires another nation's permission to launch even during the state of war? It's about time for the Japanese to start its rearmament by reviving its defence industry, that had long been dominated by American companies, and start producing its own nukes and ICBM.
Tokyo Guy
Yeah yeah.
Doesn't Russia make these threats in response to basically everything?
"Russia threatens apocalypse if Prime Minister of Finland goes ahead with plan to switch preferred vodka to Swedish brand".
I'd be more concerned about the cratering ruble, but then again that would involve giving a toss about your own people.
WoodyLee
No worries, Trump will handle this on his first week in office.
The Biden administration has turned out to be Americas clear and present danger.
Tokyo Guy
No worries, Trump will handle this on his first week in office.
Yup. "Hey, Vlad. We're cutting all support to Ukraine, now can you please burn those photos of me?"
bass4funk
Oh, here we go again…lol
Tokyo Guy
Bet you anything you like that he will stop all aid to Ukraine within his first week in office.
bass4funk
Yes.
dobre vam zajebava
action-reaction
Japan is well aware of it,lets hope their boss as well...
bass4funk
And who is in charge of the public education?
Anyway, this is why Private schools are the way to go because they understand
The people that actually thought the Dems were going to win this election…seriously.
TheRegulator
So how will placing US missiles in Japan make Japan safer? It won't of course but will serve US interests in provoking action from Russia.
dobre vam zajebava
put US missiles here=make Japan target for russian ones.
not in interests of Japan but in interests of USA.
as simple as is.
you want play hard?than expect hard game...
Sven Asai
The usual verbal saber rattling. They probably know best themselves that almost all capacities, population, industry, military etc is located in West and South of Russia and currently engaged and bound to own actions against Ukraine and NATO. Their potential is shrinking and dissolving with every day of war in Ukraine and every young Russian soldier falling. Who will fight in Russia's Asian part, produce and operate their Orezhniks when no one is left, a few 100 years old brass decorated WWII veterans? But anyway, remains the theoretical threat of someone pushing the nuclear button in a last desperate moment or twist of mind. But that's not so new and a permanent situation already for many decades.
Peter Neil
too many missiles and too many chest thumping, itchy trigger fingers.
stormcrow
Respond?! How?! By invading a peaceful neighbor?! Russia’s already done that!
nandakandamanda
Nothing to do with Russia physically, but Russia wishes to please China with this statement.
NCIS Reruns
To obtain cheap good and cheap energy, the west poured billions of dollars into China and Russia, which used the profits to arm themselves to the teeth. I don't agree with everything Ayn Rand wrote, but she foresaw this and urged such countries be boycotted. Open trade failed to make friends!
KnightsOfCydonia
This message is more directed to china than Japan or the US. putin needs to show public support for china and the Taiwan issue, hence the threats.
russia needs china more than china needs russia, so they slip further into the vassal state role.
Mocheake
He's going to TRY to sacrifice Ukraine to satisfy his master, Putin. That is NOT going to happen. Wow, they must have used industrial-strength detergent to brainwash all of the MAGA types! Even a conservative like Reagan must be rolling over in his grave.
CaptDingleheimer
buncha drunks
Abe234
In today world of ICBMs, submarine launched cruise missiles, air launched cruise missiles, mobile intermediate launched missiles as well as naval ship, this is a hollow threat. The U.S, et al have sadly never given Ukraine enough to actually win against Russia, just enough to hold them off, in the political game in a new Cold War. If we were honestly wanting to defeat Russia on the battlefield we would have/could haven given more. Sadly Ukraine in being used as a bargaining chip, by the west. As Russia doesn’t pose an immediate threat to Japan and is more of a threat just to japans pacifist and fear of war. Appeasement has been the order of the day since Russia invaded Georgia, and taken other countries land. Enough appeasement. The Cold War is back on.
Underworld
Russia can pound sand.
rivx
Putin and his threats. It’s none of your damn business.
Peter14
Russia again trying to control the actions of other nations by using threats of "doing something bad, they wont like" to ensure a country does not act in its own interests, but in Russian interests first. Pathetic and predictable.
US and Japan should simply continue to take the steps they feel are needed, and address any new situation created by Russia.
Russia does not run Japan or the US and would be better to not interfere in their affairs.
Azzprin
.
Strengthen russia defences in the far east with what ?
Majority of russian military equipment has been moved towards or into Ukraine.
A lot of which is now scrap.
.
.
800 (Kagoshima prefecture) to 1,125 (Okinawa prefecture) miles (1,300 to 1,800 km) to nearest rusian beach just east of North Korea.
Philippines is even further away.
Distance way, China and then NK would be facing these deployed missiles.
.
Dicktator putin keeps going on about red lines, which end up being changed when no one takes notice of them.
Five Families
Putins ice queen making threats.
Maria Zakharova accused Japan of escalating the situation around Taiwan to justify the expansion of military ties with Washington.
Now really ice queen. Can you blame Japan or the world? You're boss wants to restore the Soviet Union.
How the hell can you blame Japan for wanting to protect itself and her friends and allies?
WA4TKG
Wow, she’s looking old, that’s the best you could do Put’ie?
stickman1760
Trump said he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours so all will be cool right?
Roten
After all, Russia cannot threaten to take over Hokkaido's Northern Territories and place MiGs on them, or put missles on them, since Russia has already done so. Hollow threats by the northern bear!
OssanAmerica
"We have repeatedly warned the Japanese side that if, as a result of such cooperation, American medium-range missiles appear on its territory, this will pose a real threat to the security of our country.."
If you don't like it, tell your BBuddy Xi to stand down on Taiwan. Oh that's right you can't. They own Russia, the new Chinese vassal.
OssanAmerica
LOL. News flash! Kishida (not Kishiba) is not the PM anymore. But thanks for the useful post.
ian
Hahaha funny.
No chance the poster meant whoever the pm is?
ian
Anyway wondering what the response will be
wallace
Russia is unable to defend its vast country without the use of nuclear weapons.
bass4funk
Maybe. Or in 24 hours, but ending it, I’m sure of it.
Underworld
bass4funk
Trump said he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours so all will be cool right?
We shall see.
USNinJapan2
Any missiles deployed to the Nansei Islands will be for one objective: area denial; to deny PLAAF aircraft and PLAN ships freedom of operation inside the First Island Chain, turn the East China Sea into a kill zone, and prevent PRC forces from operating beyond the FIC where US and allied forces will be operating beyond the reach of the PRC's missiles on the mainland. This has nothing to do with Russia.
Raw Beer
Yes, he will put an end to it, but not because of any incriminating evidence (e.g. the debunked Steele dossier).
Tokyo Guy
Yes, he will put an end to it, but not because of any incriminating evidence (e.g. the debunked Steele dossier).
Uh-huh. K.
I've never seen one single republican explain that famous photo from Helsinki when Trump and Putin came out of the negotiating room. Putin had a grin on his face as wide as the Grand Canyon and Trump looked like he'd just been owned into the next century.
So if he's not doing it because Russia's got dirt on him, he's letting them vastly increase their chances of taking Ukraine because, what? Hm. Let's see...ah, yeah. He just likes Russia that much, which is a totally normal stance for the US president.
There have been rumours about Trump being a Russian asset for decades, and as no other president has ever been considered that way, simple logic suggests that there has to be something to it.
He's Putin's little dog and he wags his tail when he's told to.
JJE
Any missiles deployed within striking distance of the Nansei Islands will be for one objective: area denial; to deny US aircraft and US ships freedom of operation inside the First Island Chain, turn the second island chain into a kill zone, and prevent US forces from operating beyond the FIC unimpeded, squaring the ledger. This has everything to do with Russia.
kurisupisu
Japan has already made its bed by choosing Ukraine over a stable relationship with Russia-bad choice!
TaiwanIsNotChina
Oh gee another red line from Mr. Putin. Would be a shame if he has already run out ink in his red pen long ago.
JJE
...that's right. He used that pen to redraw some borders.
Hercolobus
Like the U.S. responded when USSR placed missiles in Cuba?
kurisupisu
And Japan is technically still on a war footing with Russia so placing missiles in Japan with such an offensive capability is downright provocative.
OssanAmerica
Russia stole 4 Japanese islands in WWII after Japan declared surrender. They are stealing Ukranian land today. If the US had not occupied Japan 1945-1952 (1972 for Okinawa) and continued to defend it Russia would have invaded and taken Japan. Just as they took all of Eastern Europe following WWII.
The placmement of missiles in the Nansei Islands is a measure against Chinese actions towards Taiwan. The Russian lapdog is simply yapping to please it's master.
TokyoLiving
US is the real threat, putting missiles in the front yard of countries who think different..
HopeSpringsEternal
I'm back but only BRIEFLY! Russia is emboldened and the US is desperate with the lame duck on the way out = now is a very dangerous time indeed.
Japan needs their own nuclear deterrence but better make it submarine, or aircraft based. It's inevitable, as nothing on this little island will survive a first strike, even getting aircraft off the ground in time is problematic.
Trump will push Japan towards this path of serious self- defense. Japan's population rapidly depopulating and aging, approx. half the native population by 2060 (60M) with median age of 65, military will be skeleton etc.
Serious (nuclear) deterrence = the only answer, Ishiba-san will play ball with Trump!
Take care everyone, world likely heading to far more peace SOON (Great Nov!) if we get safely to Jan 20.
Fos
The bottom line, as we all know it, is that the world would be a better and safer place without the presence of Wall Street lobbies, trying to guide the US big industrial-military complex which in turn call the shots inside the Washington administration. That is why our job is pivotal to stop this vicious cycle expanding into Asia, after the death the destruction in Eastern Europe and Middle East.
HopeSpringsEternal
Meanwhile Japan (and Taiwan) requires a credible military deterrence in order to prevent escalation/war.
kaimycahl
Russia makes threats and barely have infantry men and have to rely on NK army to defend their country let alone buy ammunition from NK that works some time. Russia boasts about a hypersonic missiles just as we have heard about Putins hypersonic mouth. My advice to him is the US hear you and see you just keep talking but make no mistakes everything will be ok.
kaimycahl
A barking dog Putin can be silenced the guy has so much blood on his hand and enemies I can’t understand why he’s still alive and someone in Russia has not taken him out just for the sake of the people there.
TaiwanIsNotChina
All illegal and will forever be considered as such by respectable countries.
TaiwanIsNotChina
These are not nuclear missiles. Everything is nuclear capable.
TaiwanIsNotChina
The reality is the region would be better off without shaky dictatorships like China/russia.
JohnnyDoey
Funny statement from the russian spokesperson considering they have been weaponizing Kuril islands for years.
voiceofokinawa
I wonder why Russia and the U.S. are such archrivals, even though the latter, a multi-racial nation, is partially composed of the descendants of Russian immigrants.
theFu
If you want peace, prepare for war.
Taiwan has learned that.
Ukraine as learned that.
Israel already knew it.
Japan is learning it along with NATO countries who haven't been putting their fair share into defensive spending, including Canada.
I think much of the world doesn't realize how tight the USA and Canada are on defensive systems. We share much of our infrastructure with officers from both countries working side-by-side daily at different installations. Denmark too - there are US based in Greenland, property of Denmark and the UK, Germany. Finland has been working with the US for many decades. Sure they weren't part of NATO, but they did participate in annual exercises.
If you want peace, prepare for war.