The new cabinet of Japan´s Primie Minister Abe continues its new nationalist and militarist line.
After dispitaching F-15´s to the disputed Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands, to which both Japan, China and Taiwan lay claimes, the Abe administration revied the old nationalist and militarist hard line with regard to the disputed Kuril Islands.
Japan´s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshide Suga stated that the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would adhere to the policy of demanding a return of the Islands to Japan, but showing flexibility with regard to the timeleline for their transition to Japanese sovereignty.
This flexibility however, is not exacly reflected in japan´s recent aggressive stance with regard to another dispute over the Diaoyo or Senkaku Islands.
On Monday 14 January the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated that Russia considers Japanese demands to return sovereignty unacceptable, commenting on the remarks of the Abe administration.
She stated that Russia has noticed the remarks of Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohshide Suga, and that Russia adhers to the provisions of the peace treaty between Russia and Japan, stating that Russia would like to point out that the southern Kuril Islands have passed to Russian sovereignty on lawful grounds, based on the outcome of World war II and the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
Zakharova stated that Russia is eager to find a resolution to the dispute on the basis of an active development of bilateral relations in all areas.
The timing of Japan´s new push for a return of the Islands coincides with an aggressive Japanese stance with regard to the Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands which have been Chinese territory since the 12th century.
The recent deployment of Japanese F 15s and an order to use life ammunition against Chinese reconnaissance planes is likely to be cause by the fact that the USA is supporting the renewed Japanese militarism as part of its pivot against Russia and China.
Also the European Union is participating in the Asian pivot.
On 7 July 2005 the European Parliament issued an official recommendation about the return of the Islands to Japanese sovereignty.
The new Japanese militarism causes concerns among Japan´s neighbors who have clear recollections about the catastrophes which have been caused by Japan´s previous attempts to dominate the region by military might and aggression.
Japan´s deployment of F 15s and an order to use life ammunition against Chinese planes is, of course, not exactly reassuring Russia that it has a partner for peaceful dialog and the joint development of the Kuril Islands in Japan´s Abe administration.
A recent article describes the new-won Japanese militarism as narcissistic and dangerous, not least because a recurrence of Japanese militarism would be based on US – Hegemony and a pivot against Russia and China, rather than on legitimate national sovereignty.
Dr. Christof Lehmann who is the Founder and Editor for the nsnba is also one of the frequent contributors for The 4th Media.
http://nsnbc.me/2013/01/15/japans-pivot-for-us-hegemony-continues-with-renewed-kuril-row/