Russia's Foreign Ministry sent on Tuesday a note of protest to Japan over a document describing the Southern Kuril islands as "territory occupied by Russia."

Responding to a parliamentary query earlier in the day, the Japanese government reiterated that "the Russian Federation is illegally occupying four northern islands."

A senior Russian MP said earlier on Tuesday that the Japanese government's position on the South Kuril Islands is counterproductive to dialogue on the territorial issue.

Konstantin Kosachyov, head of the international affairs committee in the lower house of the Russian parliament, said the Japanese position is "an attempt to exert pressure on the Russian Federation and obtain concessions."

Tokyo's continued claim over four South Kuril Islands, Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai, has so far prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty to end World War II hostilities.

MOSCOW, November 24 (RIA Novosti)