ID :
206309
Fri, 09/09/2011 - 18:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206309
The shortlink copeid
Japan asks Russia not to take 'provocative' military action
TOKYO, Sept. 9 Kyodo - Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba asked Russia on Friday not to take ''provocative'' military action, a day after its bombers flew around Japan.
Gemba said he expressed Japan's concern regarding the flight of two Tupolev Tu-95MS bombers on Thursday, when he spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
''I requested that (Russia) refrain from taking provocative action,'' Gemba said at a news conference.
While noting that the flight did not breach international law, Lavrov said Russia is ready to provide information to Japan as necessary, according to Gemba.
Earlier in the day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said it is not the first time Russian aircraft have flown around Japan, but noted that Thursday's incident was unusual because the bombers flew over a long distance and were refueled in mid-air.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that the bombers flew over the Pacific Ocean and other areas for about 19 hours, but said they did not violate foreign airspace, according to an Interfax news agency report.
During the 30-minute phone conversation, Gemba, who became Japan's new foreign minister one week ago, also said it is ''essential to settle territorial issues and sign a postwar peace treaty'' for the further development of ties between the two countries.
Lavrov responded that Russia will ''continue dialogue'' with Japan regarding the treaty.
The territorial dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan as well as the Habomai islet group, which were seized by the Soviet Union following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1945, has prevented the two countries from signing a postwar peace treaty.
The islands are known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils.
Later in the day, the Defense Ministry said four Russian military vessels passed through international waters in the Soya Strait off Hokkaido from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk.
It is rare for such vessels to head together through the strait.
Around 20 other vessels were also headed to the strait from the Sea of Japan, the ministry said.
The vessels are expected to conduct exercises in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Gemba said he expressed Japan's concern regarding the flight of two Tupolev Tu-95MS bombers on Thursday, when he spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
''I requested that (Russia) refrain from taking provocative action,'' Gemba said at a news conference.
While noting that the flight did not breach international law, Lavrov said Russia is ready to provide information to Japan as necessary, according to Gemba.
Earlier in the day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said it is not the first time Russian aircraft have flown around Japan, but noted that Thursday's incident was unusual because the bombers flew over a long distance and were refueled in mid-air.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that the bombers flew over the Pacific Ocean and other areas for about 19 hours, but said they did not violate foreign airspace, according to an Interfax news agency report.
During the 30-minute phone conversation, Gemba, who became Japan's new foreign minister one week ago, also said it is ''essential to settle territorial issues and sign a postwar peace treaty'' for the further development of ties between the two countries.
Lavrov responded that Russia will ''continue dialogue'' with Japan regarding the treaty.
The territorial dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri and Shikotan as well as the Habomai islet group, which were seized by the Soviet Union following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1945, has prevented the two countries from signing a postwar peace treaty.
The islands are known in Japan as the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils.
Later in the day, the Defense Ministry said four Russian military vessels passed through international waters in the Soya Strait off Hokkaido from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk.
It is rare for such vessels to head together through the strait.
Around 20 other vessels were also headed to the strait from the Sea of Japan, the ministry said.
The vessels are expected to conduct exercises in the Sea of Okhotsk.
