Japan protests Russian military plan

TOKYO: Japan has protested to Russia over its plan to boost troop strength on disputed islands, Japan’s top government spokesman said, the latest move in a territorial row that has overshadowed ties since WWII.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government was closely monitoring Russia’s actions and analysing information.

“If the move leads to the reinforcement of Russian military on the islands, it would be incompatible with Japan’s stance and it is regrettable as they are inherently our territo- ry,” he said.

Suga made the comment after media reports that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu talked about a plan to deploy a military division to the islands, including areas Japan claims as its territory, this year.

The islands in the Western Pacific, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles in Russia, were seized by Soviet forces at the end of WWII when 17,000 Japanese residents were forced to flee. — Reuters