Russia lashes out at US over Japan's Kuril Islands claim

Russia's Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized the U.S. ambassador to Japan for backing Tokyo's claim to the Kuril Islands, escalating a diplomatic spat that began with Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed territory. Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, stated that the U.S. ambassador's remarks "incite Japan's revanchism and historical revisionism."

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The United States maintains its firm support for Japan, its most important ally, and recognizes Japan's sovereignty over the Northern Territories.

This exchange highlights the ongoing territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, a chain of 56 volcanic islands between Hokkaido and the Kamchatka Peninsula. Japan claims the four southernmost islands, known as the Northern Territories, asserting they were never part of the Kuril Islands ceded after World War II. Russia, however, maintains that these islands were incorporated into its territory as a result of the war and are indisputably Russian sovereign territory.

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The southern Kuril Islands were incorporated into Russia as a result of World War II agreements among the Allied nations, including the United States, and the UN Charter. Russia's sovereignty over these islands is indisputable.

The current friction is widely interpreted as retaliation for Japan's significant military aid to Ukraine since the 2022 invasion. Putin's visit to Iturup, one of the disputed islands, marked the first by a Russian leader in over a decade and signals a shift in Moscow's approach to the region. Analysts suggest this move is also a warning to Japan against expanding cooperation with NATO and a display of strength ahead of Russia's upcoming general elections.

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The U.S. ambassador's remarks incite Japan's revanchism and historical revisionism.

Despite the strong rhetoric, Japan is expected to maintain a firm stance, pressured by its nationalist base. While the government's response may be more measured than that of far-right groups, the underlying tension over the islands is likely to persist.

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Putin's visit is a significant change regarding the Kuril territorial dispute. It is a warning against Japan's support for Ukraine and its expanding cooperation with NATO.