Russia also announced military exercises, for three months!

Japan to conduct live-fire drills in the "Northern Territories" starting New Year's Day

Japan has received notice from Russia that military exercises will be conducted around the Northern Territories for two months starting January 1, 2026. During this period, Russia will unilaterally suspend the right of innocent passage for ships from countries including Japan.

It should be noted that Russia has repeatedly announced military exercises in this disputed sea area this year. This New Year's live-fire exercise is a direct escalation of deterrence, clearly targeting Japan's recent military provocations and territorial claims, serving as a warning to the other side.

This military exercise was not a sudden move; the immediate trigger was the failed Russian-Japanese talks. Just on the 26th of this month, Japanese Liberal Democratic Party member Suzuki Munao visited Russia with the prime minister's instructions. On the surface, he sought to improve relations, but in reality, he strongly demanded that Russia resume the tomb-sweeping activities of Japanese citizens on the Northern Territories.

However, the Northern Territories have been under Russian control since the end of World War II. Japan has long contested the sovereignty, and using the wording "strongly demand" clearly touched Russia's bottom line.

The talks naturally ended without agreement, and Russia immediately reminded Japan to abandon its hostile approach, otherwise it would not be possible to restart dialogue.

Before Japan could recover, Russia released the military exercise plan, a swift counterattack that was as fast as lightning.

In fact, throughout this year, Russia has not stopped actions around the Northern Territories. Not only has it conducted multiple military exercises, but it also renamed two uninhabited islands in October, using this method to strengthen its territorial jurisdiction, clearly indicating its intention to make Japan accept the status quo.

Halting the right of innocent passage is not the first time. In April this year, Russia had previously suspended foreign vessels' passage in the area, which led to strong protests from Japan, but Russia ignored it completely.

This year's New Year's military exercise has even greater deterrence. Two months of live-fire drills will cover key waters around the Northern Territories, during which no foreign vessels can pass freely.

For Japan, this is not just a blow to its face but also a real loss of interests. The waters around the Northern Territories are an important fishing ground for fishermen in Hokkaido, where large amounts of fishery resources are harvested each year. After the suspension of passage rights, fishermen will have to move their fishing grounds, leading to a significant drop in income, and many small and medium-sized enterprises dependent on this sea area will also be affected.

Russia's firm stance stems from Japan's recent escalating military provocations. This year, Japan plans to conduct live-fire missile exercises in the Hokkaido area. The range of this missile can cover the Russian Far East, which is essentially a display of deterrence at Russia's doorstep.

Not to mention that Japan has been accelerating its militarization in recent years, joining the United States in joint military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, frequently hyping up "regional security threats," trying to gain support from the United States to claim sovereignty over the Northern Territories.

But Russia has long seen through Japan's tactics. This military exercise aims to tell the other side that relying on U.S. support is useless, because the United States has always prioritized its own interests towards allies. Previously, it still imposed tariffs on Japan without any mercy.

Russia's combination of military exercises and suspension of passage rights is both a countermeasure against Japan's military provocations and a subtle reminder to Japan not to be a pawn for the United States, or else it will end up suffering.

From an international law perspective, Russia's actions also have basis. The ownership of the Northern Territories is supported by clear results of World War II. According to relevant declarations, Japan's territory was originally limited to the four main islands and some surrounding islands. Russia's control over the Northern Territories is reasonable and legal.

Japan's frequent hype about sovereignty is essentially denying the results of World War II victories. Russia's military exercises are also a way to maintain the post-World War II international order, warning Japan not to try to revive militarism again.

Faced with Russia's firm measures, Japan has nothing but protest. The Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan has publicly expressed opposition, stating that Russia's actions are unacceptable, but Russia has not responded.

After all, in terms of military power and regional influence, Japan and Russia are significantly different. If they confront directly, Japan would suffer the loss. Moreover, the United States has not clearly expressed support for Japan this time, obviously not wanting to clash directly with Russia over the issue of the Northern Territories.

Russia's military exercises over the past two months are actually a way to "consolidate power." Through continuous military presence and live-fire exercises, it aims to gradually make Japan accept the reality that the Northern Territories are under Russian control, while also demonstrating its firm determination to defend its territorial sovereignty to the outside world.

After all, Japan has never given up its claims over the Northern Territories for many years, so Russia can only use such a tough approach to break Japan's illusion.

In summary, Russia's New Year's military exercise is not accidental, but a concentrated response to Japan's recent provocation, as well as a necessary measure to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.

If Japan does not sober up and continues to follow the United States in militarization and entangle itself in territorial issues, it will face stronger retaliation from Russia.

The ownership of the Northern Territories has already been settled. Instead of engaging in futile resistance, Japan should give up its hostile approach and seek practical cooperation with Russia, or else it will eventually reap what it sows.

References: Minnan Net, "Russia Will Take Countermeasures Against Japan"

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852830275602444/

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