Another Outburst In Russia
- Alexey Kopytko
- 12.08.2026, 13:54
About the Battle Between the Samurai and the Pechenegs.
In Russia, an official outcry over the resurgence of Japanese militarism is quietly gaining momentum.
There are three reasons for this.
First, Russians are criticizing the Japanese for their intention to study and implement cutting-edge drone technologies. In particular, they are taking issue with the interest shown by private Japanese companies in private Ukrainian drone manufacturers.
Second, Russians are on edge over Tokyo’s decision to allow the export of military equipment. The Japanese will certainly not be selling military equipment to Russia (although Russians are quietly buying some Japanese components).
But most importantly, there are attacks on Japan for its intention to initiate a discussion regarding approaches to dealing with nuclear weapons.
Currently, Japan adheres to the “three no’s” principle: no production, no possession, no deployment. I’ve already written that the first two “no’s” remain unshakable, but the third “no” is being proposed for “discussion without taboos.” In particular, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has spoken about this.
The context is as clear as can be: this is a lead-in to the question—should the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons on Japanese territory be permitted? To start with: in the form of temporary port calls by ships and boats and aircraft landings.
The painful backdrop is obvious. And it’s no coincidence that the Russians stepped up their activities precisely during the anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
But the practical side is even more obvious: North Korea, China, and Russia possess nuclear weapons, and in the context of tensions surrounding Taiwan, it makes no sense to limit Washington’s deterrence capabilities.
The Russian ambassador to Tokyo Nikolai Nozdrev started spouting some nonsense, claiming that even if Japan were to temporarily allow the Americans in, Japan would allegedly violate the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, for which it would face consequences in the form of “countermeasures” from other countries.
I wonder what kind?
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova tried to ridicule Minister Koizumi’s position.
Russia’s fuss is based on several layers.
First, the Japanese can produce nuclear weapons with a single click if they want to. The technological foundation for this exists. This would immediately shift the balance of power in the region.
Second, the Japanese have built a submarine that’s a generation ahead of what the Russians are churning out. Russian submarines would be fine for sale to Algeria or India, but not for their own defense.
Third, the Russians have buried three companies of the 155th Marine Brigade from Primorsky Krai in Ukraine. The 40th Marine Brigade from Kamchatka is also suffering casualties. There have been quite a few casualties on Sakhalin and even in the Kuril Islands. However, Putin has decided to deploy the 55th Marine Division based on the 155th Marine Brigade. By all accounts, this constitutes an act of militarization to which opponents (i.e., Japan) are obligated to respond.
Given the development of maritime drones (both underwater and surface), excluding nuclear submarines, the power of the Russian Pacific Fleet no longer seems quite so impressive. But the Russians are also advancing and, objectively speaking, creating new threats…
Defense Minister Shinzō Koizumi is the son of former Prime Minister Jun’ichirō Koizumi, who regularly demanded that Russia return the Southern Kuril Islands.
Among other things, Koizumi Sr. was heavily criticized (especially — in China and South Korea) for his high-profile visits to the Yasukuni Shinto Shrine, which honors the souls of soldiers who died for Japan and the Emperor (including those who were convicted and executed as war criminals).
After Koizumi Sr. stepped down, his visits to this shrine in his capacity as a sitting minister were supported by… Sanae Takaichi, the current prime minister. At one time, she headed the Ministry of “Northern Territories” (the Southern Kuril Islands) and held other ministerial posts. In April 2026, Takaichi did not attend the temple’s spring festival to avoid further escalation, but she sent a ritual offering. South Korea officially expressed regret over this…
Such is the state of affairs.
Given the formation of a defense alliance between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, as well as Germany’s push toward remilitarization (including nuclear weapons), things are getting a bit unsettled on the planet. And it’s all because they didn’t rein in a certain Pecheneg enthusiast in time.
Alexey Kopytko, Facebook