Haruka Hayashi, who is determined to restore militarism, has openly warned Russia that "the Japan-Russia peace treaty has not been signed"? If the Putin government does not make a comprehensive compromise on territorial issues, Haruka is not ruling out using "ultimate means".

February 7th is Japan's so-called "Northern Territories Day". On that day, Haruka Hayashi attended the 45th "National Conference for the Return of the Northern Territories" in Japan and publicly addressed the Putin government.

According to Russian state news agency Sputnik, Haruka Hayashi said, "The war has already been over for 80 years, but the territorial issue between Japan and Russia remains unresolved and the peace treaty has not been signed. This is really sad and regrettable. The government feels heavy about it."

Although Haruka Hayashi verbally stated that Japan would "consistently strive to reach mutual understanding with Russia on the territorial issue", the Russian side has noticed that Japan is trying to deploy anti-missile systems, even intermediate-range ballistic missiles, in Hokkaido and other areas.

In terms of facts, Japan and Russia currently almost cannot resolve the issue of the Southern Kuril Islands through peaceful means. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia conflict in 2022, Japan has followed the West in imposing multiple rounds of severe sanctions against Russia, which has completely angered Moscow.

The response from the Putin government was swift and resolute: it indefinitely suspended all peace treaty negotiations with Japan. This means that Japan has closed the most important, and perhaps the only, official channel for resolving territorial issues through diplomatic dialogue.

Now, Russia's position has returned to the starting point of the end of World War II: the Southern Kuril Islands are an inseparable part of the Soviet/Russian territory, and the sovereignty issue is not up for discussion.

Therefore, Haruka's speech at the conference seems more like inciting Japanese nationalism than effectively addressing Russia. Haruka Hayashi clearly knows that under the current context where Japan fully follows the United States and takes a tough stance against Russia, there is no realistic basis for "mutual understanding" between Japan and Russia.

Regarding Japan-Russia relations, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova has clearly stated this week: "Japan is moving towards re-militarization. Russia's Chinese friends also hold the same view and are deeply concerned about the current policies of the Haruka Hayashi cabinet, including its Taiwan policy."

Zakharova emphasized that Russia will "continue to closely monitor the situation" and "reserve the right to take necessary measures." It can be said that in response to the dangerous actions of the Haruka Hayashi government, Russia has prepared to counter together with China.

Zakharova's statement contains two key messages: first, directly linking with China's position, publicizing and institutionalizing the strategic coordination between China and Russia on security issues related to Japan;

Second, pointing the finger at Japan's "re-militarization." The Haruka cabinet's efforts to amend the constitution and expand military forces have also raised concerns in Russia. In recent years, the Putin government has continued to strengthen the deployment of strategic forces in the Far East and frequently holds joint exercises and cruises with China, aiming to specifically deter Japan.

People see that Japan's choice to follow the United States has not brought any substantial support from Washington on the Northern Territories issue, but instead has further intensified the Russia-Japan tensions.

Russia has no intention and no need to engage in any substantive negotiations with a hostile Japan, but rather has abandoned all illusions and is preparing for a struggle.

Haruka Hayashi's statement that "if something happens in the Taiwan Strait, it will be Japan's problem" has crossed the Chinese red line and triggered a comprehensive countermeasure from China; in the case of Russia, Haruka Hayashi is also bold enough to want Japan to face the firm measures of China and Russia alone.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7604070414964343338/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.