Russia/Japan-Defense Spending Hike/Tensions
FILE: Moscow, Russia - February 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of buildings in Kremlin, traffic
FILE: Moscow, Russia - April 20, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Buildings, traffic on bridge
Moscow, Russia - Dec 18, 2025 (Russian Foreign Ministry - No access Chinese mainland)
3. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman, Russian Foreign Ministry (starting with shot 2/partially overlaid with shots 4-5):
"Russia's position on this issue is well-known. Our stance on such matters has always been clear and comprehensive. Russia has noted the dangers of Japan's accelerated remilitarization, including its soaring defense spending. We have also documented the consistent actions taken by Japanese officials, who use the so-called 'threats' from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China, and even Russia as a pretext to dismantle the pacifist restrictions of the postwar Constitution and build military capabilities that are essentially offensive in nature. I have consistently emphasized that such irresponsible policies make Japan a catalyst for tensions in East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. We have systematically conveyed our position to the Japanese side through both diplomatic and public channels."
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Japanese national flag
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Sign reading "House of Councillors"
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of National Diet building
7. Various of Japanese prime minister's office, security guards
8. Pedestrians
Russia has voiced strong concern over Japan's escalating military expansion, labeling it a catalyst for regional instability.
The remarks from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova came following the Japanese upper house's approval of a supplementary budget on Tuesday, which sets the country's defense expenditure for the 2025 fiscal year at a record high of approximately 11 trillion yen (around 70.63 billion U.S. dollars).
This budget marks the 13th consecutive annual increase in Japan's military spending, with a near 60 percent surge over the past five years.
When asked by a reporter from China Global Television Network (CGTN), Zakharova reaffirmed Russia's clear and consistent stance.
"Russia's position on this issue is well-known. Our stance on such matters has always been clear and comprehensive. Russia has noted the dangers of Japan's accelerated remilitarization, including its soaring defense spending. We have also documented the consistent actions taken by Japanese officials, who use the so-called 'threats' from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China, and even Russia as a pretext to dismantle the pacifist restrictions of the postwar Constitution and build military capabilities that are essentially offensive in nature. I have consistently emphasized that such irresponsible policies make Japan a catalyst for tensions in East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. We have systematically conveyed our position to the Japanese side through both diplomatic and public channels," she said.
(Footage from: https://mid.ru/ru/press_service/video/posledniye_dobavlnenniye/2066924/#24)
Russia/Japan-Defense Spending Hike/Tensions
Dateline : Dec 18, 2025/Recent/File
Location : Japan;Russia
Duration : 1'43
FILE: Moscow, Russia - February 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of buildings in Kremlin, traffic
FILE: Moscow, Russia - April 20, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Buildings, traffic on bridge
Moscow, Russia - Dec 18, 2025 (Russian Foreign Ministry - No access Chinese mainland)
3. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman, Russian Foreign Ministry (starting with shot 2/partially overlaid with shots 4-5):
"Russia's position on this issue is well-known. Our stance on such matters has always been clear and comprehensive. Russia has noted the dangers of Japan's accelerated remilitarization, including its soaring defense spending. We have also documented the consistent actions taken by Japanese officials, who use the so-called 'threats' from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China, and even Russia as a pretext to dismantle the pacifist restrictions of the postwar Constitution and build military capabilities that are essentially offensive in nature. I have consistently emphasized that such irresponsible policies make Japan a catalyst for tensions in East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. We have systematically conveyed our position to the Japanese side through both diplomatic and public channels."
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Japanese national flag
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Sign reading "House of Councillors"
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
Tokyo, Japan - Nov 20, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of National Diet building
7. Various of Japanese prime minister's office, security guards
8. Pedestrians
Russia has voiced strong concern over Japan's escalating military expansion, labeling it a catalyst for regional instability.
The remarks from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova came following the Japanese upper house's approval of a supplementary budget on Tuesday, which sets the country's defense expenditure for the 2025 fiscal year at a record high of approximately 11 trillion yen (around 70.63 billion U.S. dollars).
This budget marks the 13th consecutive annual increase in Japan's military spending, with a near 60 percent surge over the past five years.
When asked by a reporter from China Global Television Network (CGTN), Zakharova reaffirmed Russia's clear and consistent stance.
"Russia's position on this issue is well-known. Our stance on such matters has always been clear and comprehensive. Russia has noted the dangers of Japan's accelerated remilitarization, including its soaring defense spending. We have also documented the consistent actions taken by Japanese officials, who use the so-called 'threats' from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), China, and even Russia as a pretext to dismantle the pacifist restrictions of the postwar Constitution and build military capabilities that are essentially offensive in nature. I have consistently emphasized that such irresponsible policies make Japan a catalyst for tensions in East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. We have systematically conveyed our position to the Japanese side through both diplomatic and public channels," she said.
(Footage from: https://mid.ru/ru/press_service/video/posledniye_dobavlnenniye/2066924/#24)
ID : 8457984
Published : 2025-12-19 09:21
Last Modified : 2025-12-19 16:30:55
Source : China Central Television (CCTV),China Global Television Network (CGTN),Other
Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
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