Russia Protests Japan Over Kuril Islands Remarks
Russia expressed a firm protest to Japan's ambassador over statements by Japanese leaders calling the southern Kuril Islands 'inherently Japanese' following President Putin's visit to Iturup Island. The Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated its claim of sovereignty over the islands, citing WWII outcomes and international agreements.
Consensus
- Russia expressed a firm protest to Japan's ambassador in Moscow on August 18.
- The protest was in response to statements by Japanese leaders about the southern Kuril Islands following President Putin's visit to Iturup.
- Russia reiterated that its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are unshakable.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry cited the outcome of World War II and international agreements as the basis for its claim.
- Any attempts by Japan to challenge Russia's status over the islands are deemed unacceptable by Russia.
- Russia warned of the right to take appropriate countermeasures.
- Japan had previously expressed protest to Russia over Putin's visit to Iturup on August 13.
- The Japanese ambassador, Akiro Muto, was called to the Russian Foreign Ministry on August 18.
- The ambassador left the ministry 25 minutes after the meeting began.
Points of divergence
- The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the territories became part of Russia through agreements among allied powers and the UN Charter. — vedomosti
- The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized Japan's continued participation in the 'collective West's' sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine as a context for the protest. — interfax
- The Japanese ambassador, Akiro Muto, did not arrive on August 14 or August 17, causing surprise to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. — vm
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Muto 'felt much better' after Lavrov's comments. — vm
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi stated that the territories are 'inherently Japanese' from both historical and international legal perspectives. — vedomosti
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi referred to the southern Kurils as 'inherently Japanese' territory. — vesti
- The Russian Foreign Ministry described the statements by Japanese leaders as 'anti-Russian'. — interfax
- The United Nations called on Russia and Japan to exercise restraint after Putin's visit to the Kurils. — vm
- Japan is considering strengthening sanctions against Russia in response to Putin's visit. — vm
Coverage (6 sources)
- Ambassador of Japan expressed a firm protest over anti-Russian remarks by the country's leadership after Putin's visit... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Russian Foreign Ministry expressed protest to Japan's ambassador over anti-Russian statements — Ведомости
- Russian Foreign Ministry declared a firm protest to Japan's ambassador over Takai's words on the Kurils — Вести
- Russian Foreign Ministry expressed a firm protest to Japan's ambassador over Prime Minister Takagi's remarks — Интерфакс
- Foreign Ministry: Japan's Ambassador lodged a protest after Takagi's anti-Russian remarks — Вечерняя Москва
- Ambassador of Japan expressed a firm protest over anti-Russian remarks by the country's leadership after Putin's visit... — ТАСС (Telegram)
Key entities
- Russia
- Japan
- MID
- Vladimir Putin
- Moscow
- Sanae Takai
- Iturup
- Akira Muto
- TASS
- INTERFAX.RU
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Kurils
More on Vladimir Putin
- Students in the 9th grade planning to enter colleges may only take…
- Trump: Putin Won't Attack NATO
- 12 Cities Presented for Labor Valor Title
More on Sanae Takai
- Japan's PM Says She Feels Sad After Cockroach Was Eliminated
- Russia Protests Japan Over Putin's Iturup Visit