Putin makes first visit to disputed Kuril Islands, Japan protests strongly

Published Aug 13, 07:41 AM UTC

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril islands on Thursday for the first time, triggering a strong protest from Japan, which claims the territory as the Northern Territories. The islands were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and remain a major point of contention. Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi condemned the visit, stating the islands are inherently Japanese under international law. Relations have worsened since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Japan imposing sanctions and providing aid to Kyiv. Putin dismissed Japan's stance, calling its sanctions unprovoked and asserting that Japan has territorial claims against Russia. The visit follows a trip to Sakhalin, where Putin discussed eastern border security. The islands, home to about 20,000 Russians, hold strategic and economic value, including mineral deposits and fishing grounds.