Japan Protests Putin's Visit to Disputed Island Near Hokkaido

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited a disputed island close to Japan, triggering fierce condemnation from Tokyo. Japan stated that Putin’s actions make efforts to improve relations between the two countries increasingly difficult. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued a stern statement. ‘This action hurts the feelings of the Japanese people and is completely unacceptable,’ she said in a televised statement. ‘We hope the Russian side truly understands the seriousness of this matter,’ she added. The island disputed by the two countries is known as Iturup Island by Russia and Etorofu Island by Japan. It is one of four islands in the Kuril chain located near Japan’s main islands. During World War II, the islands were seized by Moscow days after Japan surrendered. Tokyo continues to maintain its claim over the territory. Japan has made the return of the islands a condition for signing a formal peace treaty, which could pave the way for closer economic ties. However, relations between Moscow and Tokyo soured after Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Japan joining other nations in condemning the attack and imposing sanctions on Russia. Putin’s visit to the island took place two days before Japan commemorates the 81st anniversary of its surrender, which marked the end of World War II. The trip also occurred a day after North Korea launched a missile into the sea separating it from Japan, ahead of large-scale joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington. During his visit, described by state news agency TASS as Putin’s first to the island chain, he toured the Yasny fish processing plant after overseeing naval exercises in Russia’s Far East. Footage aired by Vesti television showed Putin in a dark suit standing beside two large tuna and a halibut laid out on a table. Officials briefed him on fishing activities and fish migration patterns, and he sampled local caviar. ‘The weather here is wonderful, just like a resort!’ Putin told a group of local residents.