Russia conducted an anti-ship missile test in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, with two boats launching a simulated missile assault on a mock enemy warship about 100 kilometres (60 miles) away.
According to the ministry, two Moskit cruise missiles effectively hit the target.
The Moskit, also known as the SS-N-22 Sunburn in NATO. It is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile with conventional and nuclear payload capability. The Soviet-built cruise missile has a range of up to 250 kilometres and can travel at three times the speed of sound. (155 miles).
The drill, which included other warships and naval aircraft, took place in the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan, according to the ministry. But no exact coordinates were provided. The gulf is about 700 kilometers (430 miles) from Japan’s northern Hokkaido island and neighbors the Russian Pacific Fleet headquarters at Fokino.
“On the whole, Japan is concerned about Russia’s increasing military activities around the Japanese coasts. And watching them with great interest,” Matsuki said.
He said Russia has conducted missile drills in that area in the past and issued maritime advisories ahead of time. He said Japan is not in a position to comment on Russia’s intention of the exercise.
Russian nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers flew over the Sea of Japan for several hours last week.
Japan protested multinational military exercises on the Russian-held Kuril Islands. Some of which it claims, and voiced concern about Russian and Chinese warships performing shooting drills in the Sea of Japan in September.
Last year, Russia also conducted submarine-launched missile tests in the Sea of Japan.