Anti-terrorism Tie with Russia

Japanese newspapers reported on Tuesday that an explosion in a subway train of St. Petersburg, Russia, killed ten or more passengers. The incident was proved to be a terrorist attack plotted by an Islamic extremist from Kyrgyzstan, where an international terrorist group Islamic State was taking power. Having complicated territory issue with Russia, Japan looks like approaching Russia to generate preferable situation in the bilateral relationship.

It was Monday afternoon when the explosion occurred in a subway train running in the downtown of St. Petersburg. Minister of Health, Voronika Skvoltsova, announced that 10 passengers were killed and 37 were injured. The number of victims is developing. Another explosive device was found in another subway station. Investigative Committee of Russia determined on Tuesday that the incident was a terrorist attack by a 22 year-old Russian suspect from Kyrgyzstan, Akbarzhon Jalilov.

According to the Committee, Jalilov set on the train an explosive device that could be ignited by mobile phone from distant place. Russian media reported that Jalilov was from Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and moved to Russia with his parents six years ago. Islamic State is extending its power to Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan and Russian investigative organization regards the suspect as connected with Syrian militia.

To a regret for Russian Government, the terrorist attack occurred when Russian President Vladimir Putin was making visit to St. Petersburg. The explosion was activated under a high security network. While Putin had been enhancing domestic anti-terrorist measures, credibility of Putin administration turned to be a disappointment. It is likely that Putin is going to lay stricter policy.

Although Russia has been recognized as somewhat different from Western nations in terms of the targets of Islamic extremists, it embraces internal ethnic oppositions in its huge homeland. Russia experienced consecutive terrorisms right before Sochi Olympics or explosion of Russian airplane flying over Egypt, which caused a number of victims. The terrorism in St. Petersburg could be retaliation against consecutive air raids on IS in Syria or domestic sweeping of Islamic extremists.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not hesitate calling Putin to send condolences to the victims and support for anti-terrorist measures. “To eliminate terrorism, we will cooperate with international society including Russia,” Abe told Putin. It is likely that Abe hopes terrorisms in foreign nations to justify his internal policies that may limit human rights of the people. Abe administration submitted a bill for establishing crime of conspiracy to the Diet. There was no reason for Abe not to support Putin fighting terrorism.