Japan regrets of Russia's plans to deploy missiles at Kurils

03.03.2011 Japan regrets about Russia's intentions to deploy missiles at Kuril Islands, said General-Secretary of the Japanese Cabinet Yukio Edano at the press conference in Tokyo.

Russian news agencies previously reported that Russia planned to deploy mobile coastal missile system Bastion armed with supersonic cruise missiles Yakhont at Kurils.

This is extremely deplorable, said Edano commenting Russia's plans to deploy missiles at Kuril Islands.

According to him, Japan keeps watching over all trends of Russia's military activities in the Far East.

He pointed out earlier on Wednesday that Tokyo is sure that activation of dialog with Russia is necessary. As for the politician, it is essential to avoid the needless arms race in Asian-Pacific region.

Japan claims to 4 South Kuril islands – Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai – referring to the 1855 Treaty of Shimoda. Moscow's stance lays in the fact that South Kurils were annexed by the Soviet Union after the World War II; as long as Russia became a legal successor of the USSR, its sovereignty over the islands is legal and beyond any doubts. However, Japan connects the signing of the bilateral peace treaty (which has not been signed since WW2) with settlement of the territorial dispute.