Russian Federation and Japan have always been at odds due to the territorial dispute over these islands, which has blocked a peace treaty between the two countries since the end of WWII.
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Russian Cabinet members have visited the Northern Territories in succession, culminating in Medvedev’s visit, which Japan repeatedly requested that he desist from, so that Kishida’s visit could proceed. On the evening of August 22, Kishida summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Evgeny Afanasiev to the Foreign Ministry and protested Medvedev’s visit, saying it conflicted with Japan’s diplomatic stance. “It is extremely regrettable”.
“We would like to reiterate that we have no intention to take into account the Japanese viewpoint in drawing up the work schedule of leaders and government members, and trips to that Russian region and the consistent implementation of the federal targeted program of the socioeconomic development of the Kuril Islands (the Sakhalin region) in 2016-2025 will continue”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to the disputed Northern Territories is forcing Japan to return to square one in its diplomatic efforts to invite President Vladimir Putin to Tokyo later this year.
“Our colleagues are getting upset for nothing”. He added that a decision has been reached to base a “modern effective military force” on the islands.
Soviet troops seized the islands just after Japan surrendered in World War II.
Both the Kremlin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had hoped to start mending relations in order to revive trade, with Japan seeking broader access to Russia’s plentiful oil and natural gas supplies.
“All the necessary conditions for it have been met in accordance with the decisions made by the Commander-in-chief”, Medvedev told reporters after his visit to the island of Iturup.
“At the Kurils on Russia’s State Flag Day”, read the caption of a picture.
The cosmodrome is created to ease Russia’s dependence on space launches in Baikonur, in Kazakhstan.
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Tokyo lodged a formal complaint last week with the Russian Embassy in Japan over Medvedev’s planned visit to the islands. Both incidents provoked protests from Tokyo.
