Russia is alarmed at the possible threat posed by the joint research between Japan and the United States on a theater missile defense system, Dmitry Rogozin, chairman of the Russian legislature's foreign affairs committee, said Monday.
In a meeting with Defense Agency chief Toshitsugu Saito at the agency's headquarters, Rogozin said Russia fears that the ongoing U.S.-Japan research on TMD may ruin the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty.
The status of the ABM treaty has emerged as a major strategic issue between Washington and Moscow, which have been sparring over the planned missile system. Russia claims the missile shield is banned by the treaty.
The Russian official, in Tokyo for consultations with Japanese government officials, noted that China also opposes it.
In response, Saito said the joint research is done largely under the principle of defense and with a view to being prepared at all times.