Japan Protests Russian Geological Survey
The Japanese government has lodged a protest with Russia over a geological survey in waters near the islands controlled by Russia and claimed by Japan.
Japan's foreign ministry says Russia had notified the Japanese side of a plan to carry out the survey from June 18 to September 18 in wide areas of the Sea of Okhotsk.
The areas include parts of the exclusive economic zone of the Russian-held islands that Japan claims. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
Officials say the ministry lodged a protest with Russia through diplomatic channels on June 17, when the notification was given.
They say the ministry told the Russian side that the survey is unacceptable as it runs counter to Japan's stance on the islands.
The Coast Guard issued a navigation warning following the notification, urging vessels to be on the alert.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide said on Friday that the government is constantly monitoring Russian activities related to the islands, and lodged a protest on June 17. He said the Japanese government will continue talks with Russia with the aim of resolving disagreements over the islands and concluding a peace treaty.
