Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said Japan was fully responsible for deteriorating bilateral ties after Japan protested his August visit to the Far Eastern Kuril Island of Iturup.
Russia and Japan are involved in a territorial row over Iturup, which Japan calls Etorofu, and other three islands off Japan's northern prefecture of Hokkaido. The four islands that are under Russia's control are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.
Speaking at a news conference in Bishkek to sum up his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin said he was not surprised by Japan's reaction to his visit to Iturup.
He said Russia had handled relations with Japan carefully and had taken no steps to worsen them.
Putin visited Iturup in August. Japan called the visit unacceptable and lodged a protest with Russia.
Japan claims the islands as its inherent territory, while Russia says they are part of Russian territory. The dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II (WWII).
Putin says Japan responsible for decline in bilateral ties
