Polygraph.info:
During his press conference in Tokyo on March 21, Lavrov said Japan’s decision to deploy U.S.-made missile defense systems infringes on Russia’s security. He accused Japan of actively deploying elements of the U.S. global missile defense system.
Japan plans to deploy the Aegis Ashore systems to protect itself from attacks by North Korea, which test-fired a missile over Japan and threatened to use nuclear weapons to “sink” the country after Tokyo denounced Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test in 2017. The two batteries are expected to become operational by 2023 and would cost approximately $2 billion.
Russian officials, however, claim the system has an offensive capability and undermines Russia’s nuclear deterrent. They are concerned that, despite Japan’s assertions to the contrary, the U.S. may operate and use the system as a global missile defense component to deny Russia a second-strike capability against the U.S. in case of a U.S. or allied attack on Russia.
