The government of Japan sent a protest to Russia in connection with the Ministry of defense plans to place up to the end of the year division in the Kuril Islands. On Thursday, February 23, reports TASS with reference to the Secretary General of the Cabinet of Ministers of Yoshihide Sougou.
“We are closely watching the actions of Russia in the four Northern Islands. Now we collect additional information in connection with the recent reports of plans to deploy the division,” said Suga. Thus, according to him, Tokyo “stands for continuation of talks on the issue of these Islands and find a mutually acceptable solution”.
The foreign Ministry of Japan also said that strengthening Russia’s military presence on the Kuril Islands “is contrary to the Japanese position, which is that it is primordial territory of Japan”.
A day earlier, the Japanese Ambassador to Russia, Toohey Kozuki warned that the deployment of the division will cause dissatisfaction with the leadership of Japan.
22 February, defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that by the end of 2017 will be strengthened by the defense of the Kuril Islands. “We are actively working to protect the Kuril Islands. There we have to accommodate division, we also need this year to complete [the arrangement],” said the Minister.
Now deployed on the Kuril Islands, the 18th machine gun-artillery division.
Following the end of world war II between Moscow and Tokyo never signed a peace Treaty. The main obstacle to the signing of the document is the unresolved dispute over the southern Kuril Islands, namely the largest Islands: Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai group.