Japanese ambassador visits Russian Foreign Ministry UPDATED

Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where Moscow lodged a strong protest over what it described as “anti-Russian statements” by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi concerning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Muto that Russia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands were “unwavering,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“Any attempts by the Japanese side, directly or indirectly, to question the ownership of the southern Kuril Islands are absolutely unacceptable and unlawful,” the ministry said in a statement.

Moscow also warned that it reserves the right to take “adequate countermeasures” in response to Tokyo’s sanctions policy against Russia and its support for the authorities in Kyiv.

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Japanese Ambassador to Moscow Akira Muto has visited the Russian Foreign Ministry after being summoned by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov summoned the diplomat following Tokyo’s “protest” over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup, one of the Kuril Islands, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The diplomat left the building after 25 minutes without making any comments.

Earlier, the Japanese Embassy said the diplomat would not be able to visit the ministry on either August 14 or 17, without clearly explaining the reason.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that after Lavrov’s remarks, Muto “suddenly felt much better” and would visit the Russian Foreign Ministry on August 18.

On August 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the Kuril Islands, territories claimed by Japan, in a move that signals Moscow’s growing willingness to challenge Tokyo while reinforcing Russia’s territorial claims in the Pacific.

According to The Telegraph, the visit marks a departure from Putin’s previous approach to the disputed islands. Despite being aware of Japan’s sensitivities over the territory, he had avoided visiting the archipelago until now.

The Kremlin’s move was more than a symbolic provocation, however. It also reflects a broader shift in relations between Moscow and Tokyo and the changing balance of power in the region.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned the trip as “absolutely unacceptable”, saying it “hurts the feelings of the Japanese people”.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov