MOSCOW (Kyodo) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed into law a bill designating Sept. 2 as the anniversary of the end of World War II, effectively stipulating it as a day to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Japan, the presidential executive office said Sunday.
The Russian move to designate a victory over Japan day could be seen as an attempt by the country to justify its effective control of four islands off Hokkaido seized by Soviet forces near the end of the war. Japan has demanded the return of the territories.
Russia celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany on May 9 each year with a large-scale military parade in Moscow's Red Square. The law establishes a new commemoration day in Russia.