Russia Demands Japan Remove US Typhon Missile Systems From Kyushu

Russia has formally demanded that Japan remove U.S.-made Typhon missile systems deployed on the Japanese island of Kyushu, describing their presence as a threat to Russian national security and regional stability.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow sent a formal protest note to Tokyo on September 3 over the deployment of the ground-based systems.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the note stressed that the deployment of Typhon systems on Japanese territory was unacceptable regardless of the duration or circumstances of their placement. Moscow subsequently urged Japan to withdraw the systems from its territory.

The issue was also raised on September 16 when Russian Deputy Foreign Minister **Andrei Rudenko met Japanese Ambassador to Moscow Akira Muto and urged Tokyo to take the contents of the earlier protest seriously.

Typhon Deployment During Military Exercises

The Typhon systems have been deployed in Japan in connection with the Orient Shield military exercises involving Japan, the United States and Australia.

The exercises are scheduled to run from September 8 to 24 and include military activities at locations across Japan. Russia had previously criticised the planned deployment, saying the presence of the systems on Japanese territory posed a security concern.

The Typhon system is designed to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 missiles. Its deployment has attracted particular attention because of the range and capabilities associated with those missile types.

Japanese authorities have described the deployment in the context of military training and deterrence, rather than as preparation for an attack against a particular country.

Russia and China Raise Concerns

Moscow has repeatedly criticised what it describes as Japan’s increasing military cooperation with the United States and its move away from its traditionally pacifist defence posture.

Zakharova also said China had delivered a similar diplomatic note to Japan over the deployment of Typhon systems and what Beijing views as Japan’s broader military policy.

The dispute comes amid wider tensions between Russia and Japan, including their longstanding disagreement over the southern Kuril Islands.

Russia’s latest protest also called on Japan to recognise what Moscow describes as the territorial consequences of the Second World War and to abandon its policy of remilitarisation.

Growing Regional Security Tensions

The Typhon deployment has added another point of tension to security relations in the Asia-Pacific region, where Japan, the United States and Australia have increasingly expanded defence cooperation.

Russia maintains that the deployment threatens its security, while Japan and its allies frame their military cooperation around deterrence and regional defence.

The immediate question is how long the U.S. systems will remain in Japan following the exercises. Reporting indicates that the launchers are expected to leave their temporary location after the drills, although they may remain elsewhere in Japan.