ID :
148854
Fri, 11/05/2010 - 10:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/148854
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Japan envoy to Russia likely to stay until end of APEC summit
TOKYO, Nov. 4 (Kyodo) - Japan is likely to have its recalled ambassador to Russia stay until the end of the two-day summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be held in Yokohama from Nov. 13, government sources said Thursday.
The government will not let Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono return
to Moscow immediately in a bid to stress its protest against Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev's recent visit to a disputed island claimed by Japan, the
sources said on condition of anonymity as coordination to keep the envoy in
Japan is still under way.
Earlier in the day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku said the government
has yet to decide on when Kono will return to Moscow.
''It's completely undecided,'' Sengoku said at a press conference.
Tokyo is holding talks with Moscow to arrange a meeting between Kan and
Medvedev on the sidelines of the APEC summit.
Medvedev has sent a letter to Kan expressing his appreciation at being invited
to the summit, Russia's Interfax news agency reported Thursday.
The news agency said Medvedev has accepted the invitation from Kan. This is the
first time that the Russian leader has expressed his intention to visit the
port city near Tokyo to take part in the summit.
Japan recalled the ambassador on Tuesday following Medvedev's trip Monday to
Kunashiri Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido claimed by
Japan. He was the first leader from Russia or the former Soviet Union to set
foot on any of the islands, which also include Etorofu, Shikotan and the
Habomai islet group.
Kono on Wednesday provided information regarding the visit to Kan, Sengoku and
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.
During Thursday's plenary session of the lower house, Kan quoted Kono as
reporting that Medvedev's trip had been motivated by ''internal elements in
Russia.''
Sengoku declined to disclose what they discussed, adding he has no plans to
receive an additional briefing from Kono.
He also said it is not worth commenting on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov's remarks earlier this week that Medvedev is planning to visit other
disputed islands.
Kono exchanged views with senior Foreign Ministry officials on Medvedev's
reported plan to visit the other islands.
The four islands off Hokkaido were seized by the Soviet Union between Aug. 28 and Sept. 5, 1945, following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15. Japan claims the islands have been occupied illegally.
The government will not let Japanese Ambassador to Russia Masaharu Kono return
to Moscow immediately in a bid to stress its protest against Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev's recent visit to a disputed island claimed by Japan, the
sources said on condition of anonymity as coordination to keep the envoy in
Japan is still under way.
Earlier in the day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku said the government
has yet to decide on when Kono will return to Moscow.
''It's completely undecided,'' Sengoku said at a press conference.
Tokyo is holding talks with Moscow to arrange a meeting between Kan and
Medvedev on the sidelines of the APEC summit.
Medvedev has sent a letter to Kan expressing his appreciation at being invited
to the summit, Russia's Interfax news agency reported Thursday.
The news agency said Medvedev has accepted the invitation from Kan. This is the
first time that the Russian leader has expressed his intention to visit the
port city near Tokyo to take part in the summit.
Japan recalled the ambassador on Tuesday following Medvedev's trip Monday to
Kunashiri Island, one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido claimed by
Japan. He was the first leader from Russia or the former Soviet Union to set
foot on any of the islands, which also include Etorofu, Shikotan and the
Habomai islet group.
Kono on Wednesday provided information regarding the visit to Kan, Sengoku and
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.
During Thursday's plenary session of the lower house, Kan quoted Kono as
reporting that Medvedev's trip had been motivated by ''internal elements in
Russia.''
Sengoku declined to disclose what they discussed, adding he has no plans to
receive an additional briefing from Kono.
He also said it is not worth commenting on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov's remarks earlier this week that Medvedev is planning to visit other
disputed islands.
Kono exchanged views with senior Foreign Ministry officials on Medvedev's
reported plan to visit the other islands.
The four islands off Hokkaido were seized by the Soviet Union between Aug. 28 and Sept. 5, 1945, following Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15. Japan claims the islands have been occupied illegally.
