Russia lodges protest over Takaichi’s ‘anti-Russian’ remarks

MOSCOW: Russia has summoned Japan's ambassador to deliver a strong protest over what it deems as anti-Russian remarks made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The dispute centers around a group of Russian-controlled islands near northeast Japan. Takaichi's comment that Vladimir Putin's recent visit to one of the disputed islands hurt the feelings of Japanese people and was unacceptable sparked the diplomatic tension.

The islands, known as the Southern Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan, have been under Russian control since the Soviet Union seized them following Japan's surrender in World War Two. Japan maintains a claim to the islands. Takaichi's remarks, along with those of Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, were deemed unacceptable by Russia.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin conveyed Russia's protest to the Japanese envoy, asserting Russia's sovereignty over the islands and labeling any challenge to this fact as unlawful. The island dispute has been a contentious issue for nearly a century, hindering the two nations from signing a peace treaty that could lead to improved economic relations.

Tensions have escalated further since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Japan condemning Russia and imposing sanctions. Japan's participation in these sanctions and support for Ukraine has led Russia to reserve the right to take appropriate countermeasures, though the specifics of these measures were not disclosed. The Japanese envoy left Moscow's foreign ministry following the meeting without commenting to the press.