Russia protests to Japan over joint military drills with US

The Russian Foreign Ministry protested to the Japanese embassy on October 2, stating that military activity by Tokyo and NATO countries near Russia's Far Eastern borders is unacceptable.

Moscow's displeasure was caused by the Japanese-American exercises held on September 14-23 on the island of Hokkaido, as well as plans to implement a number of similar manoeuvres in late October-December, according to Kommersant, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the statement.

According to Ms. Zakharova, Russia warned that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's "irresponsible policy" puts "Japan on the path of dangerous escalation and tension" in the region.

"The Japanese side was pointed out the categorical inadmissibility of demonstrative military activity near the Far Eastern borders of our country, carried out by Tokyo, including jointly with NATO member states," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said at a briefing.