Japan PM says Putin’s visit to disputed islands ‘absolutely unacceptable’

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed Kuril islands on Thursday, describing it as "absolutely unacceptable." The visit to Iturup, also known as Etorofu by Japan, has intensified Japanese sentiments against Russia, Takaichi asserted during a press conference. She reiterated that the island chain, encompassing four southernmost islands claimed by Japan as the Northern Territories, is historically Japan's unique territory and recognized as such under international law.

Japan and Russia have been embroiled in a territorial dispute over the Kurils for decades, preventing them from signing a peace treaty after World War Two. The islands lie between Hokkaido in northern Japan and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Following World War Two, the Soviet Union annexed the island chain and expelled approximately 17,000 Japanese residents.

During his visit, Putin savored fish roe and interacted with local inhabitants, according to Russian state media reports. Takaichi emphasized that the trip "hurts the feelings of the Japanese people" and is "incompatible with Japan's consistent stance on the Northern Territories." "I hope the Russian side will take the seriousness of this matter seriously," she added.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi had earlier declared that the islands are "inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law, and the Government of Japan strongly protests this visit." Despite numerous attempts to settle the territorial dispute, progress has been minimal. Bilateral relations have remained tense, with Japan imposing sanctions against Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Japan has vociferously protested previous visits by Russian officials to the contested islands, including Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and his predecessor Dmitry Medvedev. Strategically significant for Russia, Iturup serves as its principal military air base in the region. Last month, Chinese and Russian naval vessels conducted a joint patrol through a strait between the Kuril islands. Russia also conducts regular military drills near the islands, which Japan deems objectionable.