OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Ambassador Mikhail Galuzin was called to the Japanese Foreign Ministry to protest in accordance with the visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to the Kuril island of Iturup on Monday, July 26. This was reported by the Kyodo agency.

The fact that the Japanese authorities intend to protest the Russian side in connection with Mishustin's visit to Iturup was announced earlier on the same day by the Japanese government secretary general Katsunobu Kato.

According to him, the visit of the Russian prime minister to the island, which Japan considers its territory, contradicts the country's consistent position on the northern territories. After the information appeared about the preparation of Mishustin's trip to the island, the Japanese side repeatedly sent Russia through diplomatic channels an appeal to refuse the visit, he added.

In addition, the head of the Japanese Cabinet of Ministers said that the state authorities "reacted carefully" to the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin about "unique and unprecedented" proposals to involve Japan in the economic activities of the Kuril Islands.

It is reminded about the statement of the Russian leader on July 23, when he announced "unique and unprecedented" proposals to involve Japan in the economic activities of the Kuril Islands. The President also recalled that Russia has been working with Japanese partners for a long time to create the necessary conditions for participants in economic activity on the Kuril Islands.

On July 8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Japan's reaction to the development of the Kuril Islands is incomprehensible to Moscow, and Tokyo's nervous position does not contribute to progress in negotiations on a peace treaty. The minister explained that Japan's reaction is becoming a pretext for Russia's tough statements and reminders that the southern part of the Kuril Islands is an integral part of the Russian Federation.