Moscow summons Japanese envoy over minister's Russia criticism

Russian authorities summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow on Thursday to register an official complaint regarding remarks made by Japanese Defence Minister Yoko Takaichi, who had characterised Russia's actions as anti-Japanese in nature.

The diplomatic protest marks a fresh point of friction between Moscow and Tokyo, which have grappled with strained relations over territorial disputes in the Far East. The timing of the summons follows Putin's visit last week to one of the contested Southern Kuril Islands, a move that further inflamed the long-standing disagreement between the two countries over the archipelago's sovereignty.

The islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, have remained a contentious issue since the end of World War II. Moscow's latest diplomatic action signals its heightened sensitivity to international commentary on its regional activities and territorial claims.

Japan has increasingly aligned itself with Western nations in responding to Russian actions, particularly following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The country has imposed sanctions against Russia and strengthened security partnerships with allied nations in the region, contributing to the deterioration in bilateral relations.