MOSCOW, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Actions by the Japanese authorities, which are disguised as boosting defense capabilities, can only be described as a policy of renewed militarization that threatens security in the Asia-Pacific region, a Russian presidential aide said in an interview published Monday.
"Such activities run counter to international law and Japan's domestic laws, violate provisions of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, and are in serious violation of its constitution, which does not permit offensive strike weapons," Nikolai Patrushev, presidential aide and chairman of the Russian Naval Board, emphasized.
In an interview with the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, he said that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is being equipped each year with increasingly advanced submarines. Japan has now begun deploying long-range missile systems and is continuing to integrate laser weapons onto its surface ships, he said.
"The Japanese Defense Ministry has decided to establish a special unit in April this year to coordinate the rapid deployment of unmanned weapons and artificial intelligence-based systems across its naval forces," Patrushev noted.
"We predict that Tokyo will continue to build up its military might with an emphasis on offensive operations, both on its own and as part of broad coalitions that include NATO countries," he said. ■