Russian Defence Minister Sergei
Shoigu on Monday ordered the speeding up of construction of military and
civilian infrastructure on a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean where Moscow
and Tokyo have rival territorial claims.
Dispute over the islands, known as the Kuriles in
Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan, has strained relations between
the two countries since World War Two, when Soviet forces occupied four islands
at the southern end of the chain.
Shoigu was speaking in Russia's Far East city of
Vladivostok while inspecting the eastern military district, his ministry said
in a statement. It did not provide more detail.
Moscow has angered Tokyo in recent years by having
state officials visit the island chain and stepping up military activities
there. Japan says the islands are part of its territory and wants Moscow to
hand them over. (Reuters) -
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