{
  "id": 1578299,
  "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T22:40:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Russia has summoned Japan's ambassador, Akira Muto, after Tokyo condemned President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the disputed Kuril Islands. The islands, also claimed by Japan and known as the Northern Territories, were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945.\n\nThe visit prompted Japan to protest, and Russia retaliated by summoning Muto. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Japanese officials \"crossed the line of decency\" in criticising Putin's trip.\n\nTies between Japan and Russia have worsened since the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022. The summons was intended to address the conduct of the Japanese leadership, Lavrov said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row-1580452",
        "published": "2026-08-17T22:23:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed Kuril Islands row after Putin visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-kuril-islands-row-after",
        "published": "2026-08-17T22:30:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}