Russia threatens Japan with countermeasures as Kuril Islands dispute flares

Russia has lodged a formal protest with Japan and threatened countermeasures over Tokyo's criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands. The country's Foreign Ministry lodged the protest with Japan's ambassador following what it called "anti-Russian statements" from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

Russia asserts that its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are inviolable, and any attempt by Japan to challenge that position is "unacceptable and unlawful."

Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands on Aug. 13, where he traveled to Iturup, prompted Japan to issue a formal protest. Motegi stated that the four islands, which Japan calls its "Northern Territories," including Iturup, belong to Japan both historically and under international law. Takaichi called Putin's visit completely unacceptable, and Japan summoned the Russian ambassador.

The territorial dispute has hindered the signing of a peace treaty between the two nations. Russia maintains that its acquisition of the islands was lawful, while Japan insists they were illegally seized by the Soviet Union shortly after World War II. This issue prevents the two countries from establishing a peace treaty.

Putin's first trip to the disputed islands came after Dmitry Medvedev, then the Russian president, became the first Russian head of state to visit them in 2010 when he traveled to Kunashir. Medvedev made a similar threat against Japan on Aug. 13, stating that the Kurils are "Russian lands" and warning that anyone who disagrees with this will face terrible consequences.