Russian exercises to counter illegal armed groups in the southern Kurils provoked a protest by the Japanese authorities. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said that Moscow's actions contradict the position of Tokyo. "They (the teachings-take. red. ) will lead to the strengthening of Russia's military presence on the four northern islands, "- quotes the Japanese minister RIA Novosti. According to him, the topic of Russian maneuvers on the island was in no way affected at the meeting of deputy foreign ministers of Russia and Japan Igor Morgulov and Takeo Mori. During the conversation, only issues of cooperation in economic activities in the southern Kuriles. The fact that the Russian Federation will hold military exercises there became known after the conversation. It is reported that the Japanese Foreign Ministry already sent its protest to Russian colleagues through diplomatic channels.

Recall, Japan considers the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai with its "northern territories", referring to the bilateral Treatise on Trade and the Borders of 1855. The return of the islands to Tokyo is considered a condition for concluding a peace treaty with Russia, which, after the end of World War II, was never signed. Moscow recognizes the Southern Kurils as part of the Russian Federation on the basis of the fact that they were part of the USSR following the Second World War, and their membership of the Russian Federation, which has an appropriate international legal framework, is beyond doubt.