The planned visit, seen by experts as underlining Moscow’s intention to reassert its control of the four islands, comes at a time when Tokyo and Moscow are making preparations for President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan later this year.
Kishida said at a news conference that the visit, if it takes place, would “go against Japan’s position on the territories and hurt the feelings of the Japanese people.”
The Japanese Embassy in Moscow conveyed Tokyo’s concern Thursday to the Russian Foreign Ministry and called for Medvedev not to make the visit, he said.
Japan is “keeping close tabs” on recent developments in Russia, Kishida said, while downplaying any possible impact of Medvedev’s visit on Putin’s trip to Japan.
The islands in question, called Northern Territories in Japan and Southern Kurils in Russia, are Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai group of islets that were seized by Soviet forces following Japan’s surrender in World War II in 1945. The territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from concluding a postwar peace treaty.
The Russian daily Kommersant reported online Friday that Medvedev is considering visiting Etorofu in August to attend a youth event which will be held from Aug. 12-24 and include a dialogue meeting between young people and government leaders.
The Russian prime minister, who ranks second in the government led by Putin, indicated at a government meeting Thursday that he plans to inspect economic development on some of the Kuril islands, saying they would play an important role in Russia’s defense....
Kyodo
4/7/15
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Japan, Russia could reach compromise over territorial row (Vladimir Putin)
Poutine-Abe: le Traité de paix russo-japonais au menu d'entretiens.
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