Country protests Russia missile deployment on disputed islands
Abe said Japan had told Russia the deployment "is deplorable" and "is contradictory to Japan's position" on the issue.
"The Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament on Friday
Recommended articles
The positioning of coastal defence missiles on two of the four islands in contention was reported by Russian media this week and comes after concerted efforts by both countries to improve relations.
Japan-Russian ties have been hamstrung by a row dating back to the end of World War II when Soviet troops seized the southernmost islands in the Kuril chain, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, that lies off the northeast coast of Hokkaido.
The tensions have prevented the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending wartime hostilities, and have hindered trade and investment.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory," Abe told parliament on Friday.
However, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday the missile deployment was aimed at the "consistent strengthening of national security".
"Missile systems were deployed to the southern Kurils in line with that position," she said, calling them "an integral part of Russian territory".
The remarks came ahead of a December 15 meeting between Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Yamaguchi city in western Japan, which is aimed at making progress on the territorial dispute.
The two leaders have met several times since Abe took office in December 2012, most recently last Sunday in Peru on the sidelines of a Pacific-rim summit.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Nigerian Army hands over rescued Chibok girl, 3 children to Borno govt
Rivers crisis: Wike under fire for allegedly violating Tinubu's order
Pro-democratic group reacts to Jumbo's emergence as Rivers speaker
Nigerians condemn content creator’s ‘24-hour buried alive challenge’
Senate approves death penalty for drug traffickers
Ondo assembly warns petroleum marketers against fuel hoarding, price hikes
Rivers crisis: Fresh twist as APC group disagrees with Gov Fubara's impeachment call
Reps urge Tinubu to pay withheld salaries of ASUU, NASU, ensure full payment
Lagos Govt retrieves ₦478.13m, 18 properties from fraudulent agents in 4 years
Pulse Sports
There's Only One Winner - Arsenal's Bukayo Saka gives verdict on Nigerian and British food, namechecks Burna Boy
Onome Ebi: Super Falcons captain put curves on display to celebrate 41st birthday
‘You can't find another Osimhen in Europe’ — Former Juventus and AC Milan star warns Napoli can not replace Nigerian striker
DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions
Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen
Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa
ADVERTISEMENT
