{
  "id": 1583293,
  "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row-1583293",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T23:08:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "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 summon Russia's ambassador in protest, and Moscow retaliated by summoning Muto. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Japanese officials \"crossed the line of decency\" in criticising Putin's trip.\n\nLavrov said Tokyo initially claimed Muto was unavailable to attend the summons, citing his absence from Moscow or illness. However, after Lavrov's comments, the ambassador reportedly \"suddenly started feeling better\" and attended on Tuesday, according to Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row-1586957",
        "published": "2026-08-17T22:56:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row-1586933",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:01:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Russia summons Japan ambassador over disputed islands row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/russia-summons-japan-ambassador-over-disputed-islands-row-1592755",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:56:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}