Moscow, August 18 (QNA) - Russia protested to Japan remarks made by the latter's senior officials.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement on Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin conveyed a strong protest to Japanese Ambassador in Moscow Akira Muto.

This came in response to what Moscow described as anti-Russia statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to one of the Kuril Islands, which are located off Japan's northeastern coast but are under Russia's control.

Moscow asserted, "Russia's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are inviolable," adding, "Any attempts by the Japanese side to directly or indirectly call this obvious reality into question are categorically unacceptable and illegitimate."

This Russian stance came against the backdrop of Japan's Prime Minister stating that President Putin's visit to Iturup Island hurts the feelings of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable. (QNA)