Japan protests Russia's cruise missile test in East Sea... "Should refrain from actions that raise tensions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Japanese government is reported to have protested against Russia, urging it to refrain from actions that provoke military tensions, following Russia's cruise missile launch test conducted in the East Sea. It is presumed that Russia's show of force was intended to counter the joint maritime exercises currently being conducted by the United States and Japan in the East Sea.

According to NHK on the 15th, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a telephone protest the previous evening to the Russian Embassy in Tokyo regarding the Russian military's cruise missile launch test in the East Sea. The Ministry stated, "While the international community, including Japan, continues to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, actions that increase military tensions in Northeast Asia must be avoided."

Earlier, according to Russia's TASS news agency, on the 14th, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the successful launch test of Kalibr cruise missiles by the Pacific Fleet in the East Sea. The Kalibr cruise missile is one of Russia's main missiles, and the launch test was conducted from two submarines belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that more than 15 vessels participated in the maritime exercise.

The Japanese government interprets Russia's show of force as a measure to counter the recent joint maritime exercises between the United States and Japan in the East Sea. At a press conference, Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said, "Recently, Russian military activities, including the deployment of advanced weapons and military exercises near Japanese waters, have become more active, and we will continue to monitor and keep watch on the movements of the Russian military." He added, "However, due to security reasons, it is difficult to disclose detailed information about the movements of the Russian military."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.