Japan protests Russian missile tests off disputed islands

Japan said Friday it had protested to Russia after being notified of planned missile tests off the Kuril islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories.

A Japanese government spokesman told AFP that Tokyo lodged the protest over the planned missile test. Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted Russia's Pacific Fleet as saying the test had already been carried out, though it was unclear when.

Kyodo reported that a unit equipped with the Bastion surface-to-ship missile system conducted the test. The guided missile cruiser Varyag, the flagship of Russia's Pacific Fleet, and the Omsk nuclear-powered submarine also took part, according to the news agency.

The test simulated an attack on enemy vessels and hit all intended targets at a range of at least 300 kilometres, Kyodo quoted the fleet as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first official visit to the islands on August 13. The islands have been administered by Russia since 1945 and are claimed by Japan. Tokyo summoned Russia's ambassador after Putin's visit, and Moscow later reciprocated.