Japanese Criticized for Island Remarks
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MOSCOW — Russia on Friday criticized remarks by Japan’s new foreign minister that he will continue to press for the return of four small islands off northern Japan that Soviet troops seized after World War II.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Sergei Yastrzhembsky said the comments by Kabun Muto set an ominous tone ahead of Russian Foreign Minister Andrei V. Kozyrev’s visit to Tokyo next week.
“This statement can hardly be viewed as creating a favorable atmosphere for discussing bilateral relations,” Yastrzhembsky said at a news briefing.
Muto said Wednesday, “I have no intention of shelving the territorial dispute.”
The following day, Muto said Japan was “looking at our policy regarding bilateral aid” to Russia. Muto has said he will take up the question of the islands if he meets Kozyrev next week.
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