Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island just one day after naval exercises were conducted in Russia’s Far East. This marks Putin’s first direct visit to the Kuril Islands. Japan has lodged a strong protest regarding this visit.
Russia and Japan have long been embroiled in a dispute over several areas of the Kuril Islands, including Iturup. Due to this dispute, the two nations have yet to sign a formal peace treaty following World War II. Japan claims these islands—referred to as the “Northern Territories”—as an integral part of its own territory. Conversely, the islands have remained under Russian control since the end of World War II.
Following Putin’s visit, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi voiced strong objections. He stated that the Northern Territories, including Iturup, are Japanese territory under both historical and international law, and that Japan strongly protests Putin’s visit there.
Putin’s visit took place just a day after Russia conducted major naval exercises in the Far East. Concurrently, Russia’s ally North Korea launched a ballistic missile off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. It is believed that Putin’s visit, amidst the long-standing territorial dispute, could spark fresh tensions in relations between Russia and Japan.
