The appearance of a group of four Russian Navy ships near Japanese shores has caused serious concern in Japan. Local media and Internet users are actively discussing the incident, expressing doubts about the country's defense capabilities.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, on June 12, about 50 kilometers northwest of Rebun Island (Hokkaido), two Russian corvettes of the Steregushchy type, a missile boat of the Molniya project 1241 and a support tanker of the Dubna type were spotted. The ships were traveling eastward through the La Perouse Strait. In response, the Japan Self-Defense Force dispatched the missile boat Kumataka for surveillance and information gathering.
The news caused an alarming reaction in Japanese society. In the comments under the articles, the Japanese openly recognized the weakness of their army. There were opinions about the lack of defense of remote territories and Japan's general lagging behind other countries in terms of defense power.
“Wait a minute, wait a minute. Why was there only one ship watching from our side? This isn't a fishing schooner, it's more serious than that! Apparently, the Self-Defense Forces are completely deflated,” one user wrote.