Japan Watches Russian Military Bases on Kurils

AS IT IS 2015-10-28 Japan Watches Russian Military Bases on Kurils

Russia has announced plans to build five military bases, including one on the Kuril Islands. The Soviet¹ Union seized the islands from Japan at the end of World War II. The proposed bases are a small part of Russian efforts to increase and protect trade with Asian economies.

The news of the building project on the Kurils will further strain relations between Russia and Japan. The Japanese government - which calls the islands the Northern Territories - contends the Kurils belong to them.

“If the plan is true, the Japanese government will strongly protest it,” said Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga. “We are unchanged in our stance that the islands are Japanese sovereign territories.”

Russia’s military spending has increased by $600 billion over the past 10 years. The Russian navy’s Pacific Fleet is made up of 73 vessels²: 50 warships³ and 23 submarines. In recent years, Russia has been developing closer ties with China.

Both Japan and Russia know the importance of the Kurils. The islands are near waters commonly used by trade ships. Underground reserves of oil and natural gas increase the value of the islands. The fishing grounds are also good.

Grant Newsham studies security issues for the Forum⁴ for Strategic Studies in Tokyo. He admits there is “some strategic value” in holding the islands. But power and national pride also play into Russia keeping control of the former Japanese territory.

“There is really not much Japan can do,” he said about Japan regaining⁵ the islands. “I don’t think there ever has been much that they can do. Russia seems to have the better hand.”

The current islands episode continues a history of strained relations between Japan and Russia over the Kurils. In the past, Japan refused Russia’s offer to return the two smallest islands. Russian President Vladimir Putin postponed⁶ a visit to Japan because of the dispute over the Kurils.

Words in This Story

strained – adj. not friendly and relaxed

contend(s) – v. to argue or state something in a strong and definite way

fleet – n. a group of military ships

episode – n. an event or a short period of time that is important or unusual

pride – n. a feeling that you respect yourself and should be respected by others

stance – n. position

sovereign – adj. possessing unlimited power

1 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

2 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 warships   

军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只

参考例句：

• The enemy warships were disengaged from the battle after suffering heavy casualties. 在遭受惨重伤亡后，敌舰退出了海战。
• The government fitted out warships and sailors for them. 政府给他们配备了战舰和水手。

4 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

5 regaining   

复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地

参考例句：

• She was regaining consciousness now, but the fear was coming with her. 现在她正在恢发她的知觉，但是恐怖也就伴随着来了。
• She said briefly, regaining her will with a click. 她干脆地答道，又马上重新振作起精神来。

6 postponed   

vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发）

参考例句：

• The trial was postponed indefinitely. 审讯无限期延迟。
• The game has already been postponed three times. 这场比赛已经三度延期了。