The Japanese government has expressed formal opposition after Russia announced plans to conduct missile drills near the disputed island group that Tokyo refers to as the 'Northern Territories,' according to Kyodo news agency on August 14, 2026.
The move is seen as the latest development in the long-running tension between the two countries over sovereignty of the island chain. Japan emphasized that Russia's military exercises in the area are unacceptable and violate Tokyo's consistent stance on the territorial issue.
The incident comes amid already strained Japan-Russia relations, which have faced challenges for years as the two sides have failed to find common ground on resolving the sovereignty dispute. Japan asserts that the islands are its legitimate territory, while Russia considers them part of its own territory.
No detailed information is yet available regarding the scale and timing of Russia's missile drills, nor a specific response from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, the move is expected to further complicate an already challenging bilateral relationship.
