RUSSIA BREACHES JAPAN AIRSPACE

RUSSIA BREACHES JAPAN AIRSPACE

courtesy : greenwichmeantime.com

A Russian firefighter has breached Japan's air space near Hokkaido, prompting the Japanese government to scramble jet fighters in response and after, to lodge a protest for the invasion. 

The breach does not seem random: today marks the anniversary of Northern Territories Day, which celebrates the return of disputed islands off of Hokkaido.  

Russia, in the meantime, has denied any such incursion.  A statement was issued that restated the denial, saying that their planes were in exercises commonly undertaken in the area, but that all aircraft adhered to strict standards of international protocol.  

It was only six months ago that Russia's Prime Minister landed on one of the islands to much protest from the Japanese.  

These islands, unlike the ones that Japan is in dispute with China in the South China seas which lie around rich oil and other natural resources, are a bone of contention with the Russians directly, since they occupied the island in World War II, a move that has never been accepted by the Japanese.  

However, it also comes on the heels of a separate incident with the Chinese only last week, which could cause speculation on the motive of the breach.

Source: Al Jazeera 2.7.13
       


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