Global General

Russia raps Japan over island dispute

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-11-01 19:21

MOSCOW - Russia on Monday said Japan's reaction to President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to a disputed island claimed by Moscow and Tokyo was "unacceptable".

"The reaction of the Japanese side to President Medvedev's visit to the Kuriles was unacceptable. It is our land and the Russian president visited Russian land," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, speaking at a news conference.

Lavrov said the Japanese ambassador to Moscow would be summoned to be told Russia's position. Medvedev on Monday visited one of four islands known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia. The islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan.