On Monday, two Russian Su-35 fighter jets carried out a military exercise, relocating from the country's Khabarovsk Territory to a reserve military airfield on the Iturup island and covering a distance of 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). The drills were conducted to improve flight training and skills in protecting air borders.
READ MORE: Russia Sees No Security Risks Emanating From Japan — Ambassador
"This leads to the strengthening of the Russian military presence in the Northern Territories [the southern Kuril Islands], which contradicts our country's position on these islands," Kono told the Japanese parliament’s lower chamber, citing a protest note sent to Russia via diplomatic channels.
Russian-Japanese relations have long been complicated by the fact that the two nations have never signed a permanent peace treaty after the end of World War II. The deal was not reached because of a disagreement over a group of four islands that are claimed by both countries — Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai — collectively referred to as the Southern Kurils by Russia.