Russian President Vladimir Putin has named Ambassador to Japan Mikhail Galuzin as the country's new deputy foreign minister.

The Russian leader signed a presidential decree on Friday dismissing Galuzin as ambassador to Japan.

Galuzin started his diplomatic career in 1983, back in the days of the former Soviet Union. He served in Japan four times, becoming the ambassador in 2018.

As a diplomat of long standing, Galuzin is well-versed in Japanese affairs. He took a hardline stance on the issue of four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan. Japan calls the islands the Northern Territories.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, he repeatedly justified the offensive in line with the Putin administration's position.

Russia's state-run news agency reports that Galuzin is replacing Igor Morgulov, who was appointed as Russia's ambassador to China in September. No announcement was made on who will be the next ambassador to Japan.