Japan criticizes Putin's Kuril Islands visit; Moscow calls reaction unfounded

Japan has lodged a protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands, a territory that remains a focal point of a long-standing territorial dispute between Moscow and Tokyo. The Japanese government expressed its strong disapproval of the visit, viewing it as contrary to Japan's stance on the islands.

In response to Japan's criticism, Russia's foreign ministry stated that Tokyo's reaction was "unfounded." Moscow maintains its sovereign right to the islands and views any Japanese objections as illegitimate. The Kremlin has consistently asserted its control over the archipelago, which it refers to as the Southern Kurils.

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The visit is unacceptable and contradicts Japan's consistent position.

The Kuril Islands, a chain of islands stretching between northeastern Japan and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, have been a source of tension since the end of World War II. Japan claims sovereignty over four of the southernmost islands, which it calls the Northern Territories, while Russia administers them. Putin's visit underscores Russia's continued assertion of control and integration of the islands into its territory.

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The Japanese side's reaction is unfounded.