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Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, decried the military and political tie-up between Japan and NATO in a press conference on January 16.

Russia is closely watching the military and political tie-up which is consistently being bolstered up between Japan and West European countries, especially NATO member nations, she said, asserting that the plan for the partnership between Japan and the European Union being envisaged at present under such background is another dangerous factor detrimental to the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

The plan is aimed at the swift rearmament of Japan including the expansion of unprecedented military budget, the withdrawal of constitutional restrictions against war and the securement of attack capacity, and exacerbating tension in the Asia-Pacific region and inciting an arms race, she disclosed.

Such an act will not be able to evade the counteraction of Russia, she noted.