Japan's Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Tokyo Nikolay Nozdrev over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup Island, Kyodo News reports.
Tokyo's protest was prompted by Putin's visit to Iturup, one of the Southern Kuril Islands also claimed by Japan. Putin visited a fish farm on the island and met with local residents.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi lodged a “strong protest” with Russia, reiterating Tokyo's position. Japan refers to the Southern Kuril Islands, including Iturup, as the “Northern Territories” and says they are inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also called Putin's visit “absolutely unacceptable.”
The Russian Embassy told TASS that an official statement on the matter would be issued later.
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