According to a report by Russian TASS on the 17th, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova revealed that Japanese Ambassador to Russia Fujiwara is scheduled to visit the Russian Foreign Ministry on the 18th. Previously, the Japanese government expressed strong protest over the recent inspection of the disputed islands by Russian President Putin.
Today, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated at a press conference that the Japanese ambassador excused himself due to ill health and did not travel to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zhaharova said that after this, "the ambassador felt much better and will head to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow."
According to Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese official from the Japanese Embassy in Russia said, "Due to diplomatic considerations, including questions such as whether an interview was conducted or whether the person was summoned, it is not possible to provide a response."
Zaharova Profile Picture
Earlier that day, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Japanese ambassador to Russia. However, Lavrov stated that the ambassador had, for some reason, not yet appeared.
"Regardless of what, we have summoned the ambassador." Rafolov stated.
Lavrov stated: 'He should go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will discuss two aspects: first, the actions of the Japanese leadership regarding President Putin's visit to the South Kuriles; second, how the ambassador should conduct himself in the host country—in accordance with that country’s laws and the rules established by Russia for foreign diplomats.'
On the 13th of this month, Putin inspected Sertshy Island (known as Iturup Island in Russia), located in the South Kuril Islands (referred to as the "Four Northern Islands" by Japan). This was Putin's first visit to the disputed island in his capacity as president.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida immediately stated that this action "harmed the feelings of Japanese citizens and is absolutely unacceptable."
Japan's government summoned the Russian ambassador to Japan, Mr. Nikolai Kozlov, and lodged a strong protest.
The Japanese side argues that the four islands of Kitaoshima, Kokusho, Sedakan, and Teshimo (referred to by Russia as the South Kuril Islands) were illegally occupied by the Soviet Union shortly after Japan surrendered during World War II. The Russian side insists that the occupation was legitimate. This territorial dispute has led to the two countries not being able to conclude a post-war peace treaty to date.
