Tokyo rebukes two nationals for getting Russian visas to SKuriles.

26/10 Tass 107

TOKYO, October 26 (Itar-Tass) - The Japanese government has officially
condemned a recent trip to the South Kuriles by two Japanese nationals,
who had obtained Russian visas for that. This, according to Tokyo,
confirms Moscow's sovereignty over these islands, which Japan considers
its Northern Territories.
"We have made official reprehensions to these people," Japanese
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara told a news conference on Tuesday.
This demarche of the government must have been rather tough, as one of
these Japanese nationals has already presented official excuses to the
authorities. This man, working in a fishing company, said he had obtained
the Russian entry visa for visiting Kunashir Island with his father.
They made the trip to visit the grave of their recently deceased
Russian friend, a resident of the South Kuriles. They got acquainted with
him, when earlier visited the islands within the framework of a program of
bilateral visa-free exchanges.
At the end of August a group of nine Japanese nationals visited the
South Kuriles with Russian visas. The trip was organized by a tourist
company, and also triggered Tokyo's sharp reaction.
The Japanese government officially demands from its nationals not to
visit the South Kuriles with Russian visas and not to engage in economic
activity there, as this necessitates the issuing of documents by Russia.
According to Tokyo's logics, this confirms Moscow's sovereignty over the
islands.
-0-zhe/