Putin visits disputed Iturup Island for first time, drawing sharp protest from Japan
Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island, part of the Kuril archipelago and the subject of a territorial dispute with Japan, for the first time. Tokyo has already responded to the visit and lodged a strong protest, Russian media reported.
During his stay on the island, Putin visited the Yasny fish processing plant, where he was shown fish products, including tuna and halibut. The Kremlin press service published a video of his trip.
After visiting the enterprise, Putin traveled to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, where he spoke with residents.
The Japanese government sharply condemned the Kremlin's actions. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized that these territories belong to Japan:
"The Northern Territories, including Etorofu, are an integral part of the territory of Japan both from a historical perspective and under international law. Japan strongly protests this visit," he said.
Territorial dispute between Japan and Russia
The southern Kuril Islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories, are controlled by Russia. At the same time, Tokyo considers Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai group of islands to be its territory.
The territorial dispute over the islands remains one of the main obstacles to concluding a peace treaty between Russia and Japan after World War II. Moscow insists that its sovereignty over the islands is established by international documents and is not subject to revision.
Peace treaty negotiations between the countries were suspended by Moscow in 2022 after Tokyo imposed sanctions on Russia.
In 2023, Japan protested to Russia over plans to conduct missile exercises from April 18 to 22 in the area of the southern Kuril Islands.
