Russia has voiced strong concern over Japan's escalating military expansion, labeling it a catalyst for regional instability.
The remarks from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova came following the Japanese upper house's approval of a supplementary budget on Tuesday, which sets the country's defense expenditure for the 2025 fiscal year at a record high of approximately 11 trillion yen (around 70.63 billion U.S. dollars).
This budget marks the 13th consecutive annual increase in Japan's military spending, with a near 60 percent surge over the past five years.
When asked by a reporter from China Global Television Network (CGTN), Zakharova reaffirmed Russia's clear and consistent stance.
"Russia's position on this issue is well-known. Our stance on such matters has always been clear and comprehensive. Russia has noted the dangers of Japan's accelerated remilitarization, including its soaring defense spending. We have also documented the consistent actions taken by Japanese officials, who use the so-called 'threats' from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China, and even Russia as a pretext to dismantle the pacifist restrictions of the postwar Constitution and build military capabilities that are essentially offensive in nature. I have consistently emphasized that such irresponsible policies make Japan a catalyst for tensions in East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. We have systematically conveyed our position to the Japanese side through both diplomatic and public channels," she said.
(Footage from: https://mid.ru/ru/press_service/video/posledniye_dobavlnenniye/2066924/#24)
Russia warns of rising tensions as Japan's upper house greenlights major defense spending hike
