Japan says Russian warships spotted near Taiwan and Okinawa islands

Subject :International Relations

Section: Places in news

Context:

Japan and Taiwan both claim that they have spotted Russian military ships near their coastal areas.

Details:

Japan and Taiwan have joined the United States and its allies in imposing wide-ranging sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine last year.
The Japanese ministry said two Steregushchy-class frigates were first spotted 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni, in Okinawa prefecture near Taiwan.
Spotted again in the waters between Miyako and Okinawa islands.
Russia said that a detachment of ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet had entered the southern parts of the Philippine Sea to perform tasks as part of a long-range sea passage.

Japan-Russia dispute over Kuril Island:

The Kuril Islands dispute between Japan and Russia is over the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands.
The South Kuril Islands comprise Etorofu island, Kunashiri island, Shikotan island and the Habomai island.
These islands are claimed by Japan but occupied by Russia as the successor state of the Soviet Union.
Japan is also having a similar dispute regarding Northern territories with South Korea. South Korea refers to as Dokdo islands.

What is the Geographic Location and Significance of the Kuril Islands?

Location:

The Kuril Islands are stretched from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula separating the Okhotsk Sea from the North Pacific Ocean.
The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific (Ring of Fire) and contains at least 100 volcanoes, of which 35 are still active, and many hot springs.

Significance:

Natural resources: The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are thought to have offshore reserves of oil and gas.
Strategic Importance: Russia has deployed missile systems in the region. Russia also plans a submarine project and intends to prevent any American military use of the islands.
Cultural Importance: The Japanese people, especially conservatives in Hokkaido, are emotionally attached to the islands.