Japan’s government sent Russia a formal letter of protest over the closure of sea navigation around the Kuril Islands, Report informs via The Moscow Times.
Tokyo accused Russia of introducing restrictions on the navigation of foreign military and civilian ships around the southern Kuril Islands from April 16 to May 1, according to RIA Novosti.
“A protest was lodged to Russia through diplomatic channels,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi was quoted as saying at a press conference.
Both Russia and Japan claim sovereignty over the island chain known in Russia as the Kuril Islands and in Japan as the Northern Territories, preventing the sides from signing a treaty formally marking the end of World War II.
