Putin visits Japan-claimed Islands, Tokyo protests

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Iturup, one of the disputed Kuril Islands claimed by Japan, in a move likely to further strain relations between Moscow and Tokyo and revive attention on a decades-old territorial dispute.

Russian state media reported on Thursday that Putin travelled to Iturup after overseeing major naval exercises in Russia’s Far East. The visit was described by state news agency TASS as Putin’s first in-person trip to the island chain.

Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, is among four islands that Tokyo calls the Northern Territories and considers its inherent territory. The territorial dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty to officially end the state of war left over from World War II.

During his visit, Putin toured the Yasny fish-processing plant, where officials briefed him on the local fishing industry and the movement of fish in the surrounding waters. Russian television footage showed the president examining large tuna and halibut before sampling local fish roe.

Putin also spoke with local residents, praising the island’s weather and comparing it with a resort. His informal interaction with residents highlighted Moscow’s efforts to portray the disputed territory as an active and integrated part of Russia.

Japan responded sharply to the visit. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo had lodged a strong protest, insisting that the Northern Territories, including Etorofu, belong to Japan based on history and international law.

The visit came at a particularly sensitive moment in East Asia. A day earlier, North Korea, a Russian ally, fired a ballistic missile towards waters off the Korean Peninsula. The launch occurred shortly before major joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea, which Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned.

Putin’s appearance on Iturup also followed Russian naval drills in the Far East, adding a military dimension to an already sensitive diplomatic dispute.

The latest development underscores the continuing complexity of Russia-Japan relations. Despite periods of diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation, the unresolved island issue remains a major obstacle to a formal postwar peace agreement.

For Tokyo, Putin’s visit represents another challenge to its territorial claims. For Moscow, the high-profile trip reinforces its control over the disputed islands and signals that the territorial question remains firmly within Russia’s strategic agenda.