Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan lodged a “strong” protest against the visit of Russian prime minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin to the Etorofu Island that Russia controls but claimed by Tokyo.

Mori Takeo, the vice-minister for foreign affairs, summoned the Russian ambassador to Japan, Mikhail Galuzin, to the foreign ministry in Tokyo and lodged a strong protest. Mori stated the government of Japan’s consistent position on the “Northern Territories, a group of four islands north of Hokkaido prefecture Tokyo claims they belong to Japan.

Russia calls these Islands the Kuril Islands.

In response to this, ambassador Galuzin stated Russia’s position, which considers the Islands part of Russian territories.

In the meeting, vice-minister Mori also strongly urged the Russian side to act constructively for the future progress of Japan-Russia relations towards advancing the peace treaty negotiations, including the joint economic activities on the four Northern Islands.

The Japanese government maintains a consistent policy of concluding a peace treaty with Russia as soon as possible by the resolution of issues concerning the attribution of the Northern Territories (the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and Habomai). Tokyo says if the attribution of the Northern Territories to Japan is confirmed, Japan is prepared to respond flexibly regarding the timing and manner of their return.