Putin visited Kuril to 'punish' Japan over Ukraine stance
Analysts have said a visit by Russia's leader to a disputed island chain sent a "message" to Japan, which for decades has sought to reclaim control of the territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first-ever visit to a disputed group of islands known as the Kuril Islands last week, sparking outrage in Japan. These islands, which Japan refers to as the Northern Territories, were seized by Soviet forces in 1945 following the end of World War II. At the time, the local Japanese population of 17,300 was forced to evacuate. The Kuril Islands have been a source of tension between Russia and Japan ever since, with both nations claiming sovereignty over them.
Putin toured various facilities on the island of Iturup, including a school, a hospital, and industrial sites. His visit came two days before the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, which many in Russia see as an opportunity to send a message to Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly condemned Putin's move, calling it "absolutely unacceptable" and emphasizing that the islands are "inherently Japanese territory."
The dispute over the islands has continued to strain bilateral relations between Russia and Japan. Even though Japan has consistently maintained its stance on the islands' illegitimate annexation, Russia amended its constitution in 2020 to prohibit the cession of any part of its territory to a foreign power. This move, along with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has further deepened the rift between the two nations.
Experts believe that Putin's actions are not only a response to Japan's support for Ukraine and its growing ties with NATO, but also an attempt to weaken Prime Minister Takaichi domestically. Japan's strong relationship with Russia, particularly in terms of energy imports, makes it difficult for Tokyo to retaliate further, leaving the country in a relatively vulnerable position.
Nevertheless, Russia's revised constitution and nationalist sentiments make it unlikely that the islands will ever be returned to Japanese control. Even after Putin's departure from power, there is no indication that a new Russian government would be willing to compromise on this issue.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
