Tokyo Lodges Strong Protest After Putin Visits Disputed Kuril Islands
The diplomatic row escalates as Japan asserts its historical and legal claims over the islands, known as Etorofu in Tokyo and Iturup in Moscow, while the dispute continues to block a post-war peace treaty.
Japan has lodged a formal and strong protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril islands, a move that underscores the enduring territorial friction between the two nations. Russian state media confirmed on Thursday that the Russian leader visited the disputed archipelago, reporting it as his first trip to the territory.
The specific location of the visit was identified as the island known as Iturup in Russia and Etorofu in Japan. The visit has intensified diplomatic tensions, with Tokyo viewing the move as a direct challenge to its sovereignty claims over the landmasses.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi addressed the incident in a statement posted on the social media platform X. He asserted that the islands are "inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law," emphasising that the Government of Japan strongly protests the visit.
The dispute over the Kuril islands has been a persistent obstacle in bilateral relations for decades. The disagreement remains the primary reason why Russia and Japan have failed to sign a formal peace treaty to conclude the state of war following World War Two.
Moscow maintains de facto control over the islands, while Japan continues to demand their return. The latest development highlights the structural nature of the conflict, where symbolic gestures by political leaders continue to prevent a resolution to the post-war diplomatic stalemate.
