Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi lodged a protest Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin for granting fishing rights to third countries in waters around disputed islands off Hokkaido, claiming Moscow has ignored Japan's repeated requests not to allow fishing in the area.
Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka called Russian Ambassador Alexandre Panov to the Foreign Ministry and handed him a letter of protest from Koizumi to Putin. It says Japan regrets Russia's action and cannot accept third countries fishing in the area.
Koizumi also expresses in the letter deep concern about the negative impact on overall bilateral ties and asks Putin to act in good faith.