Japan Protests Russia’s Reported Fighter Deployment on Disputed Isle

August 7, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government has lodged a protest with Moscow against Russia's reported trial deployment of fighter jets on Etorofu, one of the four Russian-held islands at the center of a territorial dispute between the two countries, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Monday.

"If (the report is) true, it's very regrettable as it contradicts our country's position," Suga told a press conference.

To stop Russia's military buildup on those islands, "it's necessary to settle the territorial issue itself," Suga said, reiterating Tokyo's stance of continuing negotiations with Moscow toward concluding a peace treaty to officially end World War II hostilities between Japan and Russia. Jiji Press