08.02.2011, 16:40 4571

Russia-Japan dispute over islands worsens

A dispute between Russia and Japan over four islands escalated to an unprecedented level on Monday after the Kremlin vowed never to give up the chain, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Almaty. February 8. Kazakhstan Today - A dispute between Russia and Japan over four islands escalated to an unprecedented level on Monday after the Kremlin vowed never to give up the chain, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Russia Monday protested the desecration of its flag outside its Tokyo embassy by Japanese demanding the return of disputed islands.

The dispute over the southern Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, has long been a sticking point in relations between the two countries and has kept them from signing a formal peace treaty ending their World War II hostilities, The Time reported.

Japan has designated Feb. 7 as "Northern Territories Day," saying that a treaty dating back to that day in 1855 supports its claim to the islands.

Kan was the top speaker at a government-backed rally of about 1,500 people in Tokyo that has been held annually since 1981 to mark the anniversary. He vowed that Japan will not back down from its claim and said visits there by Russian leaders are "an unforgivable outrage."

Japanese right-wing activists dragged the Russian flag along the ground outside the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, RIA Novosti reported.

"Russia decisively protests the unacceptable statements made by the Japanese leadership towards Russia, believes Tokyo's territorial claims to be unacceptable and condemns the provocative actions of Japanese extremists," the Foreign Ministry said in Moscow, The United Press International informed.

The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are believed to have offshore oil and natural gas reserves, plus gold and silver deposits. They lie as close as six miles (10 kilometers) to Japan's Hokkaido island and are also near undisputed Russian territory.

Japan's foreign minister is scheduled to visit Moscow from Thursday and the islands dispute is likely to be at the top of his agenda.


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