Putin’s Visit to Kuril Islands Sparks Tensions with Japan

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands on Thursday, igniting protests from Japan. This marked his first visit to the Russian-controlled Pacific island chain, which Japan also claims.

During his trip, Putin toured a fish plant, hospital, and school on Iturup, one of the chain’s southernmost islands. He held a brief conversation with local residents and met Sakhalin region’s governor, Valery Limarenko.

Japan maintains that the four southernmost islands, known there as the Northern Territories, belong to them. The Soviet Union seized these islands from Japan at the end of World War II. This territorial disagreement has prevented the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty.

Decades of diplomatic negotiations have not resolved the issue. In recent years, Moscow has bolstered its military presence on the islands, reinforcing its stance on the dispute.

“The Northern Territories, including Etorofu (Iturup) Island, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and from the perspective of international law,” said Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

In 2021, Japan protested a visit by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to Iturup. Putin’s recent visits to Siberia and the Russian Far East included a stop on Sakhalin Island, where he attended naval exercises.

Speaking aboard a participating warship, Putin stated that international documents confirm the current status of the Kuril Islands, established after World War II. He expressed Russia’s past willingness to negotiate a peace treaty with Japan.

Putin emphasized a history of constructive relations with Japanese leaders, notably former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. However, he noted that Japan’s imposition of sanctions on Russia following the 2022 Ukraine conflict has altered their relationship.

Despite this, Putin affirmed that Russia remains open to cooperation with its neighbors, including Japan and other countries in the region.