Russia beefs up Kurils military base despite Japan tensions
Source: BBC
Russia says it will expand its military presence on the Kuril Islands, which lie off Japan's northern coast and are claimed by Japan.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the Kuril base would be developed along with four Arctic bases.
The row blocked a peace treaty between Russia and Japan after World War Two.
In July Mr Shoigu said two garrisons were being built on Kunashir and Iturup - the main islands in the group near Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34604146
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"As Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds talks in Russia with President Vladimir Putin, the BBC looks at the background to the long-standing territorial dispute between the two nations.
Four islands - which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan calls the Northern Territories - are the subject of a 60-year-old dispute between the two nations.
They are Kunashir (known in Japanese as Kunashiri), Iturup (Etorofu), Shikotan and the rocky Habomai islets.
The southernmost islet in the Habomai group lies only a few kilometres off Nemuro on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
Because of the dispute, Russia and Japan have not yet signed a peace treaty to end World War II."
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-11664434
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Somehow, when you say "Its time for these Pacific nations to stand up to China and Russia. The only way to do it is to establish your OWN presence on any of these islands that are disputed.", I just don't feel your approach would be productive or possible concerning the Kurils. Each of these land claim issues is unique and has its own complications that should be adjudicated in the courts.
But, back to your point in general when you said "The only way to do it is to establish your OWN presence on any of these islands that are disputed. Otherwise, you're going to lose them". Ok that actually makes sense, and its what nations do, including Russia and China so lets not single them out for criticism since they are also following your advice.
Let's see who has bases in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, shall we?
Look at that, ALL the claimant nations are already following your advice and building bases on disputed islands in the Spratly Islands.
And did you notice those circles around the bases that show who is doing land reclamation to enlarge their bases? Seems its not only China, but also Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan.
Ok... please explain your point again? Seems all these countries are already building bases and expanding them by reclaiming land. Reclaiming land around existing land, islands and reefs is allowed under international law, after all.
