Posted 1 ноября 2010,, 06:28

Published 1 ноября 2010,, 06:28

Modified 17 сентября 2022,, 11:48

Updated 17 сентября 2022,, 11:48

Tokyo Says Medvedev’s Visit to Kuril Islands Hurts Feelings of Japanese People

1 ноября 2010, 06:28
Japanese Foreign Ministry is considering sending a note of protest to the Russian ambassador against President’s visit to the disputed island.

KHABAROVSK. November 1. VOSTOK-MEDIA – Japanese authorities described the President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Kunashir Island, the southernmost island of the Kuril Islands, as “very regrettable”

“As Japan has kept its position that the four Northern Islands belong to the Japanese territory, the presidents visit there is very regrettable," Reuters quoted Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan as saying.

The Jiji news agency reported that Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering sending a note of protest to the Russian ambassador against President’s visit to the disputed island. Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said the Russian President’s visit would “hurt the feelings of the Japanese people”.

This is President Medvedev’s first working trip to the Kuril Islands. Initially, the visit was scheduled for September but was canceled due to the bad weather conditions. Nevertheless, during his visit to Kamchatka in September, Dmitry Medvedev said that the visit would definitely take place this year.

At a recent press-conference in Vietnam, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the President is free to visit whatever place he likes as long as it is Russian territory.

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