Japan protests Russia's deployment of troops on Kuril Islands

The Japanese government has lodged a protest through diplomatic channels with Russia after Moscow announced plans to deploy troops on the Kuril Islands, which Tokyo calls the Northern Territories.

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Photo: RIA Novosti.

RIA Novosti on February 23 quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as saying: "The note was sent through diplomatic channels on February 22 and 23.

It would be a real pity if the Russian armed forces increased their military presence in the Northern Territories (Russia calls the Kuril Islands). This is contrary to our country's position."

Previously, speaking at the State Duma of the Russian Federation on February 22, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said he hoped "this year to complete the deployment of three divisions on the western and southwestern borders."

The head of the Russian Defense Ministry also emphasized that "we will continue to actively work on protecting the Kuril Islands".

The Kuril Islands/Northern Territories dispute arose after World War II. Russia claims all of the Kuril Islands as Russian territory, while Japan claims the four southernmost islands as its own.

Territorial disputes have prevented Japan and Russia from signing a formal peace treaty ending their World War II confrontation. As a result, the two countries are technically still at war.

According to TPO