Japan came under fire here Tuesday over its designation of Feb. 7 as Northern Territories Day and its demand that Russia return the disputed islands.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said the acts of the Japanese government are "remnants of the Cold War era filled with distrust and antagonism" that "contradict the mutual understanding and friendship developed between Russia and Japan in recent years."
He said the territorial dispute should be resolved by strengthening bilateral relations in all fields and promoting trust between the people of both countries.
The disputed isles, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia, are under Russian control but are claimed by Japan.
They consist of Kunashiri, Etorofu and Shikotan islands, and the Habomai group of islets.
Japan and Russia signed a bilateral trade and friendship agreement Feb. 7, 1855, under which Russia recognized the islands as Japanese territories.
But Soviet troops seized them at the end of World War II.