Japanese authorities regret the intention of Russia to militarize the Kuril Islands, introducing to the voi troops as it contradicts Japan’s position, which considers them its own territory. This was stated by TASS in the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Japan.
In the Japanese foreign Ministry noted that the deployment of Russian troops is contrary to the position of the Japanese authorities.
“If accommodation (divisions of. – Ed.) aims to strengthen military presence in the Northern territories (so in Japan called the island belonging to Russia the southern part of the Kuril ridge. – Ed.) it is contrary to the position of our country, which is that this is the ancestral territory of Japan. These actions were regrettable,” – said the Minister.
As announced on 22 February, Russian defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in 2017 Russia plans to deploy in the Kuril Islands one division of his troops to protect the area.
In December 2016 , Japan has allowed the deployment of US military bases in the South Kuril Islands, if the Russian Federation will give them to the Japanese side.
Note that Japan claims the four southern Islands of the Kuril ridge: Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai. The Japanese authorities believe that these Islands are their territory in connection with concluded in 1855 a Treatise on trade and borders. In Russia believe that the Islands became part of the Soviet Union at the end of the Second world war.
