According to reports by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun and TASS, a Japanese patrol boat conducted live-fire training in the western waters of the South Kuril Islands (referred to as the "Northern Four Islands" by Japan) without issuing any warnings at all. It was reported that the Maritime Security Office in Kushiro, Hokkaido, announced on May 23rd that the Japanese patrol boat committed an error during its machine gun firing training by failing to issue a "navigation warning" to alert nearby ships. The message stated that the training began at 11:40 AM local time on the 23rd. The Japanese patrol boat used a "13 mm caliber machine gun" to fire 66 live rounds and launched 2 illumination flares. It wasn't until 53 minutes later that the First Regional Maritime Security Headquarters realized that the training had not issued a navigation warning and ordered it to be canceled. There were no reports of other ships passing through or being damaged. It is understood that the eastern side of the training area is Kunashir Island (referred to as Etorofu Island by Japan). [Image: https://p3-sign.toutiaoimg.com/tos-cn-i-axegupay5k/462e9657b2f6495ca207346ae918cc10~tplv-tt-origin-web:gif.jpeg?_iz=58558&from=article.pc_detail&lk3s=953192f4&x-expires=1748770959&x-signature=kaRR%2FPKcvbS0h5nc5k2hqoohQl0%3D] Kunashir Island (referred to as Etorofu Island by Japan) on January 30th, 2019. Visual China The First Regional Maritime Security Headquarters is currently investigating the cause. Reports indicate that Japan has received no notifications or protests from Russia at this time. According to Yomiuri Shimbun's report on May 1st, Russia has informed other countries that the measure suspending the "innocent passage right" for foreign government vessels and other ships around the South Kuril Islands will be extended from April 16th to May 17th. The Japanese government has protested against this. Additionally, according to Japan's Sankei Shimbun on May 14th, Russia announced that a shooting exercise would take place in the waters north of Sikotan Island (referred to as Shikotan Island by Japan) from May 15th to June 14th. It is understood that the South Kuril Islands, referred to as the "Northern Four Islands" by Japan, are located north of Hokkaido, Japan. They belonged to Japan before World War II but were occupied by the Soviet Union after the war. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, they have been under Russian control. Both Russia and Japan have disputes over the ownership of these islands and have yet to conclude a peace treaty. Japan demands that the Soviet Union and its successor, Russia, return the four islands and considers the return of the four islands as the basis for signing a peace treaty. Russia's position is that the Northern Four Islands have been incorporated into the Soviet territory according to the results of World War II, and Russia claims absolute sovereignty over them. This article is an exclusive contribution by Guancha Zazhi and cannot be reprinted without permission. Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7508278677533360678/ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Please express your opinions by using the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.