{
  "id": 1580452,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T22:23:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/08/1513368/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MOSCOW: On Monday, Russia summoned Japan's ambassador following Tokyo's criticism of President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the disputed Kuril Islands. These islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and are claimed by both Russia and Japan. The Kuril Islands have been a source of tension between the two nations for a long time. In response to Japan's condemnation, Russia summoned the Japanese ambassador, Akira Muto. Japan's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, expressed dissatisfaction with the Japanese leadership's conduct and the manner in which ambassadors should behave in the host country. Lavrov stated that Japan had initially informed Muto that he could not attend immediately, but after some clarification, the ambassador was expected to come to Moscow the following day.",
  "summary": "MOSCOW: Moscow said Monday it had summoned the Japanese ambassador after Tokyo condemned President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Russia’s far-eastern Kuril Islands, which are also claimed by Japan.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row",
        "published": "2026-08-17T22:40:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}