Japan protests Putin's visit to disputed Kuril Islands

Japan has formally protested Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands, a territory over which the two nations have held a long-standing territorial dispute since the conclusion of World War II. The islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan.

During his visit, President Putin toured Iturup Island, one of the four disputed islands, where he inspected a fish processing plant. This visit underscores Russia's continued assertion of control over the archipelago.

The dispute centers on the Soviet Union's seizure of the islands in the final days of World War II. Japan maintains its sovereignty over the islands, which it claims were historically its territory. The unresolved territorial issue has prevented the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty following the war.

Tokyo's protest highlights the persistent sensitivity surrounding the Kuril Islands and the ongoing diplomatic friction between Japan and Russia over their sovereignty. The visit is likely to further complicate efforts to normalize relations and resolve the territorial conflict.