Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday said that Japan is embarking on a path toward accelerated remilitarization.
While answering a question from China Global Television Network (CGTN) during an online press conference, Zakharova urged Japan to learn lessons from history and uphold its pacifist constitution.
"We are closely following Japan's security moves. At present, all of Japan's actions clearly indicate that the country has embarked on a path of accelerated remilitarization. We have noticed all the aspects involved in your question, including Japan's surging military spending, large-scale purchase of U.S.-made weapons, destructive behaviors and radical remarks on the international stage, and refusal to admit historical facts. On historical awareness, Japan has shown no sign of remorse for the actions committed by its predecessors," said Zakharova.
"Of particular concern recently is Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's decision to establish a National Intelligence Bureau, a comprehensive intelligence body which, according to current assessments, will be tasked with countering foreign espionage. What is striking, however, is that the structure of this new agency fully replicates a similar institution created by Japanese militarism in 1940, when the Second World War had already entered a phase of full escalation, and the consequences of those policies are well known to all. If Japan does not wish to share the fate of its predecessors in 1945, it must draw the lessons of history with utmost seriousness and, first and foremost, uphold the peace clauses in its Constitution, which remain in force to this day," the spokeswoman said.
Japan's security moves indicate accelerated re-militarization: Russian FM spokeswoman
Japan's security moves indicate accelerated re-militarization: Russian FM spokeswoman
Japan's security moves indicate accelerated re-militarization: Russian FM spokeswoman
Russia and Ukraine on Sunday accused each other of violating an Orthodox Easter ceasefire, as both sides reported continued hostilities despite a declared 32-hour truce.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that its forces had launched strikes against temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries across 38 locations before the temporary ceasefire took effect.
It also accused Ukrainian forces of violating the ceasefire 1,971 times from 16:00 Saturday Moscow time until 8:00 Sunday.
Ukrainian forces launched three nighttime attacks on Russian troop positions in two settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk region, it said, adding that Russian forces also thwarted four attempts to advance on their troop positions in the Sumy and Donetsk regions.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian strikes also targeted border regions, injuring civilians.
On the same day, Ukraine also accused Russia of violating the truce.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that 120 battles took place in the frontline over the past day, with Ukrainian air force, missile troops and artillery units having attacked multiple Russian personnel and equipment assembly areas, command posts, and other targets.
"As of 7:00 a.m. on 12 April, 2,299 ceasefire violations were recorded," said the General Staff on Facebook.
It added that Russia launched dozens of airstrikes and shelled populated areas, positions of Ukrainian troops, and border regions.
Russian troops' shelling in the border region of Sumy has resulted in casualties, the Ukrinform news agency reported.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced an Orthodox Easter ceasefire with Ukraine from 16:00 local time Saturday until the end of Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Ukraine intends to honor the ceasefire and will respond "strictly in kind". He added that the possibility of extending the ceasefire beyond Easter has been communicated to the Russian side.
In an interview with state television released on Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will continue its special military operation after the ceasefire expires unless Zelensky "musters the courage" to make peace.
Orthodox Easter is one of the most important religious holidays for Eastern Orthodox Christians. A similar Easter truce declared last year also saw both sides accusing each other of violations, and the ceasefire was not extended following its expiration.
Russia, Ukraine exchange accusations over Easter ceasefire violations
