Japan Lodges Strong Protest Over Putin's Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands

Japan has expressed strong disapproval following President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands, a territory at the heart of a long-standing dispute between Russia and Japan. The Russian leader’s trip to Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, is the first time he has visited the island chain.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the islands are “inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law,” and the government “strongly protests this visit.” The territorial disagreement over the Kurils has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a peace treaty since World War II.

The islands, situated between Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, are administered by Russia. The Soviet Union annexed the chain and expelled its Japanese residents in the aftermath of World War II.

During his visit, President Putin reportedly sampled local delicacies and engaged with residents, according to Russian state media. Despite numerous attempts over the years, progress in resolving the territorial dispute has been minimal, with bilateral relations remaining strained, further complicated by Japan’s sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

This is not the first time Japan has protested official visits to the islands; Russian Prime Ministers and other high-ranking officials have previously visited the disputed territory, drawing similar objections from Tokyo.

The Kuril Islands hold strategic importance for Russia, which has significantly increased its military presence there in recent years. The island of Iturup serves as a key military air base for the region. The area has also seen joint naval patrols by China and Russia, as well as regular Russian military drills, all of which have drawn criticism from Japan.

Source: Nile Post