Japan and Russia

Russia: Russia seized them in the last days of World War II and the dispute has kept the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty since, according to The Moscow Times. After Medvedev visited Iturup island on Saturday, senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official Hajime Hayashi lodged the protest with the Russian ambassador to Japan, Yevgeny Afanasyev, by telephone, the ministry said. See the photo gallery:Russia Prime Minister Visits Disputed Iturup Island The islands are known in Russia as the Southern Kuril Islands and referred to as the Northern Territories in Japan. Japan had been hoping for a visit this year by President Vladimir Putin for summit talks with Abe, Kyodo news agency said. Our position is simple: We want to be friends with Japan, Japan is our neighbor. While on the island, Medvedev said Japan attitude would not stop more such visits. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.