Japan Lodges Strong Protest Against Putin's Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first-ever visit to the Kuril Islands on Thursday, March 13, defying strong objections from Japan, which claims the disputed archipelago as its sovereign territory. Japanese officials responded immediately, summoning Russia's ambassador and lodging formal protests at the highest levels of government. The visit has further deteriorated already strained relations between Moscow and Tokyo, particularly over Japan's support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion.
Key Points
- Putin visited Iturup (called Etorofu by Japan), the largest island in the Southern Kuril chain, inspecting a seafood processing plant and sampling locally produced caviar
- Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nozdrerev to protest, stating the islands are "inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law"
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a press conference denouncing the visit as "absolutely unacceptable" and warning it would make restoring bilateral relations difficult in the medium to long term
- The approximately 7,000 residents of Iturup also saw Putin tour local schools and hospitals while discussing regional economic development with Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko
- This marks the second time a Russian president has visited the islands, following former President Dmitry Medvedev's four trips
Why It Matters
The visit underscores how Russia's war in Ukraine has shattered any remaining prospects for Japan and Russia to resolve their longstanding territorial dispute and conclude a peace treaty . Japan, which imposed sanctions on Moscow following the Ukraine invasion, now faces a situation where negotiations over the disputed islands have completely stalled . The incident also signals Russia's intent to consolidate its control over the Kurils while demonstrating its military presence in the Pacific region through naval exercises involving the guided missile cruiser Varangian .
The visit underscores how Russia's war in Ukraine has shattered any remaining prospects for Japan and Russia to resolve their longstanding territorial dispute and conclude a peace treaty . Japan, which imposed sanctions on Moscow following the Ukraine invasion, now faces a situation where negotiations over the disputed islands have completely stalled . The incident also signals Russia's intent to consolidate its control over the Kurils while demonstrating its military presence in the Pacific region through naval exercises involving the guided missile cruiser Varangian .