"With regard to the visit of the Russian transport minister and other dignitaries in the northern areas, it does not coincide with the position of our country. Regarding the visit of the Transport Minister on September 7, we handed in a protest note. We closely monitor such movements from the Russian side," the Japanese minister said.
The four Kuril Islands — Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai — have been administered by Russia since the end of World War II, but Japan still lays claim to them.
Kishida urged Russia to take a "constructive stance" on the matter.
On Monday, Japan`s Foreign Ministry claimed that the Russian transport minister`s visit to the Kuril Islands was "unacceptable."
Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also visited Iturup last month.
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