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Russian lawmaker says US missile defense system deployment in Japan to affect security

The deployment will upset the balance of powers in the region

© AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye

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Lawmaker notes new positive agenda forming in Japanese-Russian relations

TOKYO, June 17. /TASS/. US’ plans to deploy a missile defense system in Japan will upset the balance of powers in the region and will negatively affect the existing security system, Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin said on Friday.

"At the last meeting with the leader of the Komeito party, I drew the attention of our Japanese colleagues to our concerns over US’ plans to deploy elements of their missile defense system on the territory of Japan," Naryshkin told reporters.

"If this happens, these actions will upset the balance of powers in the region and will negatively affect the existing security system," he added. ‘We really want our Japanese partners to understand our concern," the Duma speaker noted.

The peace treaty

The lawmaker says recognizing one’s commitments and the after-war world order is necessary for resolving complicated issues, including signing a peace treaty between Russia and Japan, which is still not signed after World War II.

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"In order to resolve complicated issues, including problems of the peace treaty, it is necessary to unconditionally fulfill all commitments proceeding from the joint declaration of 1956 and to unconditionally recognize the realities of the after-war world order," Naryshkin told reporters.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said earlier that the next round of consultations on signing a peace treaty between the two countries will be held on June 22 in Tokyo. "We hope that there will be positive and deep discussions about the northern territories (Kuril Islands) and peace treaty, based on the results of the last talks between the leaders of Japan and Russia," Kyodo quoted the foreign minister as saying.

Naryshkin has started his official visit to Tokyo on June 16. On Thursday he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and discussed several bilateral issues with him. According to Kyodo news agency, he also handed a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Abe. The Duma speaker also held meetings with President of the Komeito party Natsuo Yamaguchi and Speaker of Japan’s House of Representatives Tadamori Oshima. Later on Friday he will take part in the opening ceremony of the 11th Festival of Russian Culture in Japan.

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Foreign policy Japan

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