A refugee who sailed from Kunashir caused a political scandal in Japan

According to the secretary general of the Japanese government, Katsunobu Kato, Tokyo "will take adequate measures". According to RIA Novosti , the fugitive from the Russian Federation applied to the Sapporo Immigration Service.

The situation with the refugee who "sailed from Kunashir" is complicated by the fact that Japan considers this island its own, as well as several other islands, which are called "northern territories" in the country.

During the press conference, journalists asked Kato if the deportation of the "newcomer" would mean the de facto recognition by the Russian of the island, which Japan considers to be its own.

Kato announced that he was taking a break to study the issue with the fugitive.

“I would like to refrain from the details of the discussion of this case, but we will find out the facts properly, and then, with the interaction of the ministries concerned, we will take appropriate measures”, - Kato said.

A day earlier, it became known that an illegal migrant from the Russian Federation who fled to Japan for political asylum had lived in Kunashir for three years. Its main habitat was a tourist tent. Prior to that, he lived in Udmurtia and did not work anywhere.

How exactly he managed to get to Japanese Hokkaido, opinions differ. According to some sources, he swam in a wetsuit, according to others - on a rubber boat. It is noted that the waterway 24 kilometers long took him five days: the refugee sailed back on 17 August. So far, the data on the fugitive has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, the Russian Consulate General indicated that Russian diplomats are ready to meet with a compatriot who fled the country.

According to a number of sources, the fugitive may be a resident of Yuzhno-Kurilsk Vaas (formerly Vladimir) Phoenix Nokard. The Mainichi newspaper specifies that when he appeared on the Japanese coast, in addition to a backpack, the fugitive had a small bag hanging from his shoulder, as well as a hat, gold-rimmed glasses and a mask.

Since the Second World War, no peace treaty has been signed between Russia and Japan. The territorial dispute acts as a stumbling block for signing the document. Japan claims the Russian islands of Kunashir, Shikotan, Iturup and Habomai, citing the bilateral 1855 Treaty on Trade and Frontiers. The Russian Federation categorically does not recognize the territorial claims of Japan, noting that, according to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the alienation of any plots within the borders of the Russian Federation is unacceptable. At the same time, these islands became part of the USSR as a result of World War II, and their territorial affiliation cannot be disputed.