Japan protests Putin's visit to disputed Kuril Islands

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the Kuril Islands on Thursday, a move that has drawn a sharp diplomatic protest from Japan.

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The Northern Territories, including Etorofu (Iturup) Island, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and from the perspective of international law.

The archipelago, which Russia controls and calls the Kurils, is also claimed by Japan, which refers to the four southernmost islands as the Northern Territories. The Soviet Union seized these islands from Japan in the final days of World War II, a dispute that has prevented the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty.

During his visit to Iturup, one of the islands, Putin toured a fish plant, a hospital, and a school, and met with local residents and the governor of Russia's Sakhalin region. This visit follows recent trips by Putin to other regions in Siberia and the Far East, including attending naval exercises by Russia's Pacific Fleet.

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the southern Kuril Islands are an integral part of the Russian Federation and became part of it following World War II on legitimate international grounds.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that his country "strongly protests" Putin's visit to Iturup, emphasizing that "The Northern Territories, including Etorofu (Iturup) Island, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and from the perspective of international law." Motegi summoned the Russian Ambassador to Japan to lodge a formal protest and request the message be relayed to Moscow.

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Putin’s travels are “sovereign decisions of the Russian leadership and can’t be subject to discussion with foreign states.”

The Russian Embassy in Japan responded by calling Tokyo's protest "unfounded," asserting that the southern Kuril Islands are a legitimate and integral part of the Russian Federation, acquired after World War II. The embassy stated that Putin's travels are "sovereign decisions of the Russian leadership and can’t be subject to discussion with foreign states."

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the current status of the Kuril Islands “is enshrined in international documents as a reality that arose following the outcome of World War II.”