Russia denies airspace violation
Source: Agencies |
February 8, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
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TWO Russian fighter jets briefly entered Japan's airspace near disputed islands and the northern island of Hokkaido yesterday, prompting Japan to scramble fighters and lodge a protest, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.
Russia, which is currently holding military maneuvers around the disputed Kurile Islands, denied any such intrusion.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is expected to visit Moscow later this month to discuss territorial matters.
Yesterday was Japan's "Northern Territories Day," when rallies are traditionally held calling for the return of the disputed islands it calls the Northern Territories.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told one rally he was determined to press ahead with negotiations with Russia for the return of the islands.
"I had telephone talks with President Putin in December, and told him I would like to work to find a mutually acceptable solution to this last-remaining major problem between Japan and Russia," Abe said.
"We will press ahead with negotiations with strong will so that progress will be made toward the conclusive resolution of the territorial problem."
In 2010, former President Dmitry Medvedev became the first Russian leader to visit the islands, triggering sharp rebukes from Tokyo. He visited a second time last July.
Soviet soldiers seized the islands at the end of World War II, forcing about 17,000 Japanese residents to be deported over the next few years. About 17,000 people, mostly Russians, currently live there.
Russia, which is currently holding military maneuvers around the disputed Kurile Islands, denied any such intrusion.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is expected to visit Moscow later this month to discuss territorial matters.
Yesterday was Japan's "Northern Territories Day," when rallies are traditionally held calling for the return of the disputed islands it calls the Northern Territories.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told one rally he was determined to press ahead with negotiations with Russia for the return of the islands.
"I had telephone talks with President Putin in December, and told him I would like to work to find a mutually acceptable solution to this last-remaining major problem between Japan and Russia," Abe said.
"We will press ahead with negotiations with strong will so that progress will be made toward the conclusive resolution of the territorial problem."
In 2010, former President Dmitry Medvedev became the first Russian leader to visit the islands, triggering sharp rebukes from Tokyo. He visited a second time last July.
Soviet soldiers seized the islands at the end of World War II, forcing about 17,000 Japanese residents to be deported over the next few years. About 17,000 people, mostly Russians, currently live there.
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