Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto on Tuesday was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the ministry informed in a press release.

“[Russian] Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin conveyed a strong protest to the Japanese diplomat over anti-Russia statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island..

The Russian side stated that Russia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are inviolable. These territories were transferred to our country following World War II, as enshrined in the relevant agreements of the Allied Powers and the UN Charter. Any attempts by the Japanese side to directly or indirectly call this obvious reality into question are categorically unacceptable and illegitimate.

In light of Tokyo’s continued adherence to the collective West’s sanctions policy against Russia, as well as Japan’s support for the Kiev regime, the head of the Japanese diplomatic mission was informed that Moscow reserves the right to take appropriate countermeasures," added the Russian MFA.