Explained: Japan protests Russian takeover of Japan Tobacco subsidiaries in Russia

Russia placed four subsidiaries of Japan Tobacco Inc. under the temporary management of a Russian company by presidential order

Chief Cabinet Secretary

A senior Japanese government official who acts as the top spokesperson for the Cabinet

Kuril Islands

A chain of islands including Iturup, seized by the Soviet Union from Japan at the end of World War II, now disputed between Russia and Japan

temporary management (presidential order)

A Russian legal measure placing foreign-owned company assets under the control of a Russian-appointed administrator

peace treaty

A formal agreement ending a state of war; Japan and Russia have not signed one due to the territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands