Japan called the Kurils illegally occupied by russia for the first time in 19 years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has published a diplomatic directory "Blue Book of Diplomacy," which for the first time in 19 years recognizes the South Kuril Islands as "illegally occupied by russia."

This was reported by NHK.

It is noted that the Northern Territories are "territory typical of Japan, but now illegally occupied by Russia." This has not been the case since 2011.

The Blue Book of Diplomacy is a document that summarizes the policy of Japanese diplomacy, which has been published annually since 1957.

To recap, on March 7, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the southern part of the Kuril Islands Japan's original territories. russia later said it would no longer continue talks with Japan on a peace treaty on the islands.