[Japan's Defense Minister Visits Northern Air Base and Makes Tough Statement on Russia]
On May 24, 2026, Japan's Defense Minister Shinjirō Inoue visited the JGSDF Makomanai Air Base in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, followed by a visit to the Chitose Air Base. Speaking at the base, he stated:
Russia continues to actively conduct military activities in the Far East region, including the "Northern Territories," which is a serious concern from a national defense perspective. The timing for deploying long-range missiles capable of retaliatory strikes against enemy bases at the Furano Base in Hokkaido is still under consideration. Although defense along Japan's southwestern border requires increasing attention, Hokkaido remains a crucial area from a national defense standpoint. Maintaining a defense system with zero vulnerabilities is essential.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866045673916419/
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