Japan protests Putin’s first visit to disputed islands

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the disputed Kuril islands on Thursday, prompting a strong protest from Japan. The islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and have been a source of tension between the two countries. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi called the visit an "inherent part of Japan's territory" and protested the visit, emphasizing that Japan is not threatening Russia.

Putin visited one of the four main islands, where he was reportedly given caviar from a fish-processing plant. This visit follows Putin's earlier trip to the nearby Russian island of Sakhalin, where he held a meeting on ensuring the security of Russia's eastern borders. Tensions between Russia and Japan have notably worsened since the start of the full-scale conflict in Ukraine in 2022, with both nations joining other G7 countries in sanctioning Russia and providing aid to Ukraine.

Russia and China have also strengthened their military cooperation, with joint exercises conducted in areas around Japan. North Korea, in turn, has sent troops and artillery shells to support Russia's war efforts. Japan's latest defense white paper highlights the growing risks from Russia, China, and North Korea. The Soviet Union took control of the strategic Kuril islands in the final days of World War II, deporting the Japanese population in 1945.

The islands have since become crucial for Russia, providing military bases and possessing valuable mineral deposits.