Print this article
Right-wing groups protest over disputed Kuril Islands in Tokyo
August 10, 2010
Right-wing groups protest over the disputed Kuril Islands near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo
(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 9, 2010)
TOKYO (TR) – As has become custom on the anniversary of Russia’s breach of the Treaty of Portsmouth, Japanese right-wing groups were out in force on Monday to protest the action in central Tokyo.
At an intersection in the Kamiyacho district of Minato Ward, members of multiple right-ring groups blasted vocal complaints through loudspeakers against the Russian Red Army’s violation of the pact, which declared neutrality between the two countries, and subsequent move south beyond the stipulated 50th parallel and into Japan on August 9, 1945.
With flags from the Imperial Japanese Army waving, the groups were slowly escorted through traffic blockades by police to the front of the Russian Embassy.
“This demonstration is to protest the violation of the treaty on the part of Russia,” said Giichi Mori, leader of the right-wing group Seido Resshi-kai, based in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward.
Seven days after the breach, the Potsdam Declaration ended World War II. The army, however, continued south, claiming territories, one of which included the Kuril Islands, located north of Hokkaido. Thousands of civilians were killed during the attacks.
The Russian movements stopped on August 22. However, 600,000 Japanese, mainly soldiers from Sakhalin and Manchuria, were subsequently shipped to labor camps in Siberia, where many perished.
Citing the deaths, Mori added, “That’s why we are here.”
Right-wing groups protest over the disputed Kuril Islands near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo
(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 9, 2010)
Right-wing groups protest over the disputed Kuril Islands near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo
(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 9, 2010)
Right-wing groups protest over the disputed Kuril Islands near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo
(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 9, 2010)
Right-wing groups protest over the disputed Kuril Islands near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo
(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 9, 2010)
Right-wing groups protest over the disputed Kuril Islands near the Russian Embassy in Tokyo
(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 9, 2010)
Related articles:
- Right-wing groups protest anti-Yasukuni Shrine march in Tokyo Right-wing groups protest anti-Yasukuni Shrine march in Tokyo....
- Right-wing protest in Shinjuku Right-wing members protest the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (amongst...
- Right-wing groups at Yasukuni Shrine on August 15 Right-wing groups and others paying respects to Japan's war dead...
Of course Japan took Sakhalin from the Russians in the waning days of the Russo-Japanese War. What goes around comes around….
It is sad that Japan demands the islands aggressively. There is not much anti-Japanese sentiment in Russia. The disputes should be solved peacefully, taking into accounts the positions of both sides and the public opinions, it’s diplomacy, not megaphones.