Russia deploys defense missile system on Kuril island near Japan

Russia's defense ministry has said it has deployed mobile coastal defense missile systems on a northern Kuril island - part of a strategically located chain of islands that stretch between Japan and the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula.

Russia cancels visa-free travel for Japanese to disputed islands - China.org.cn

Russia has terminated an agreement with Tokyo on facilitating visits by Japanese citizens to the four disputed Pacific islands, a government order showed on Monday.

All four islands in southern Kurils remain integral part of Russian Federation — Kremlin - TASS

The four islands in the southern part of the Kuril Ridge are an integral part of the territory of the Russian Federation, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, commenting on the Japanese Foreign Ministry's designation of the southern part of the Kuril Islands as "illegally occupied" in its annual Bluebook diplomacy report.

Japan Describes Southern Kurils As Occupied Areas For 1st Time Since 2003 - Reports - Sputnik

The Japanese government has described the Southern Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, as the area illegally occupied by Russia in its Diplomatic Bluebook for the first time since 2003, media reported on Friday.

Japan favors signing of peace treaty with Russia after solving Kuril Islands issue - TASS

Tokyo favors the signing of the peace treaty with Russia after solving the territorial issue, Japan’s new foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told the first press conference after his appointment to the post.

Japanese sovereignty covers South Kurils, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida claims - TASS

Japanese sovereignty covers the South Kuril Islands, new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the lawmakers Tuesday.