Russia Summons Japan Envoy over Disputed Island
Tokyo, Aug. 18 (Jiji Press)--Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that he had summoned Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto after Japan protested Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit last week to a disputed northwestern Pacific island. At a press conference, Lavrov said he called in the ambassador immediately after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Japanese Fo...
Tokyo, August 18 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov summoned Japan's Ambassador to Russia, Akira Muto, following Japan's protest over President Vladimir Putin's visit to a disputed island. At a press conference, Lavrov announced his immediate call to the ambassador after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed their objection to Putin's visit to Etorofu, one of the Northern Territories claimed by Japan.
According to Russia's state-run Tass news agency, Maria Zakharova, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department, stated that Muto would respond to the summons on Tuesday. However, Muto's response to Lavrov's call was delayed, raising concerns over protocol violations. The Japanese Embassy in Moscow reportedly informed the Russian side that Muto could not attend the foreign ministry on the specified dates without a clear explanation.
Lavrov deemed this situation unacceptable, describing it as a clear breach of diplomatic protocol. He vowed to discuss the matter with Muto, addressing not only Japan's response to Putin's visit to Etorofu but also the proper conduct of ambassadors in the host country.
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