Russia's Putin angers Japan with 1st visit to Kuril Islands

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first visit to the Kuril Islands, drawing strong protests from Japan. Japan claims ownership of four of the disputed islands, including the one visited by Putin, which was seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. Putin toured a fish-processing plant on Iturup, known in Japanese as Etorofu, where he received caviar.

The island, now inhabited by 20,000 Russians, was originally home to about 17,000 Japanese during the Soviet occupation. The ongoing dispute over the islands has hindered peace talks between Moscow and Tokyo, which never signed a formal World War II peace treaty. Japan's Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, strongly condemned Putin's visit, stating that the Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory under international law.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi echoed these sentiments, calling the visit offensive to the Japanese people and damaging to bilateral relations, especially considering Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This marks the first time a Russian leader has visited the disputed territory since then-President Dmitry Medvedev did so in 2010 and 2015.

The strategic significance of the Kuril Islands has persisted since the Cold War, when the Soviet Union maintained a substantial military presence there. Despite numerous attempts since 1991, no progress has been made in resolving the territorial dispute.