YALTA, 11 March. /TASS/. Crimea’s referendum on joining Russia in March last year was held according to democratic principles and will remain an important milestone in world history, Japan's former prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, said on Wednesday.

"I am convinced that the way the referendum was conducted and how the territorial problem was solved due to a democratically held referendum will remain one of the most important milestones in world history," Hatoyama, visiting the Black Sea peninsula, was quoted as saying by CrimeaInform news agency.

Addressing local authorities, Hatoyama expressed respect for the residents of Crimea, who had managed to resolve their own "territorial issue" ensuring the republic’s peaceful entry into the Russian Federation.

The Japanese politician noted that criticism was still heard in the international community that the referendum contravened Ukraine’s constitution.