TOKYO — For the first time in almost two decades, Japan labeled four disputed islands as "illegally occupied" by Russia on Friday (April 22), as relations between the two nations deteriorate over the Ukraine conflict. The two countries have been attempting to reach an agreement on a post-World War II treaty for a long time, but the islands claimed by Moscow and controlled by Tokyo remain a major sticking point.

        The term was last used by Japan's foreign ministry in its annual policy report in 2003 to designate the islands, which Moscow refers to as the Kurils and Tokyo refers to as the Northern Territories. "The Northern Regions remain the largest source of worry between Japan and Russia," it stated, referring to them as "Japanese territories over which Japan has sovereign rights but are now unjustly occupied by Russia."

        In past years, similar phrasing has been used, but without the words "illegally inhabited." The ministry also stated that the Ukraine conflict will put a halt to discussions with Russia on a treaty. Last month, Moscow announced the end of the negotiations, claiming the "impossibility" of continuing talks "with a government that has taken an openly hostile attitude and is attempting to undermine our country's interests."

        Even while Japan has previously voiced alarm about Beijing's increased maritime activity in the region, the report on Friday adopted a cautious approach to China. "It is critical to establish a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship," it added, while also expressing alarm over Beijing's "attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by force."