Japan opposes Russia’s plans to conduct firing training near Iturup island

Tokyo: The Japanese government issued a protest to Russia over its plans to conduct firing training near the Iturup island in Russia’s Kuril Island chain, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said.
Tokyo is set to continue negotiations with Russia as part of its determination to resolve territorial issues and sign a peace treaty, the official added.
Japan lays claims to the Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai islands in Russia’s Kuril Island chain, which they refer to as the “Northern Territories”, citing the 1855 bilateral treaty on trade and borders.

Russia insists that its sovereignty over the islands, which became part of the USSR after WWII, is undisputed.