Tokyo "concerned" over Russia’s cruise missile tests in the Sea of Japan

Tokyo has expressed concerns to Moscow over cruise missile tests performed by Russia in the Sea of Japan, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi stated in a press conference Friday.

Moscow is encouraged to “refrain from any actions that could increase tensions in Northeast Asia” in light of this situation, Hayashi said, and reemphasized that Japan “strongly condemns” Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as it “shakes the foundations of the international order.”

Japan’s Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi earlier that day said Moscow is “aiming to show off its strength in the Far East region” and the “modernization of its naval power.”

Russia’s Ministry of Defense on Thursday said two submarines from its Pacific Fleet successfully test-fired Kalibr cruise missiles from an underwater position in the waters of the Sea of Japan, the ministry published in a post on its official Facebook page.

According to the ministry, the cruise missiles successfully hit a mock enemy and that more than 15 vessels from the fleet took part in the drill.

Russia’s test launches were conducted while the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is conducting bilateral operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Sea of Japan.

CNN reports that the two nations have been increasingly at odds since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia withdrew from peace treaty talks with Japan last month and froze joint economic projects related to the disputed Kuril Islands because of sanctions imposed by Tokyo over the invasion