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Japan PM Takaichi condemns Putin's visit to disputed Kuril Islands
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's first-ever visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, calling it 'absolutely unacceptable' and stating the islands are 'inherently Japanese territory.' Putin visited Iturup island, where Russia operates a military base, touring a fish processing plant, hospital, and school. Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also strongly protested the visit. The islands were annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II, and Japan renounced claims in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco but does not recognize Soviet sovereignty. The dispute has prevented a formal peace treaty. Analysts suggest Putin's visit was a response to Japan's 2026 defense white paper, which identifies Russia as a critical threat and accuses Moscow of illegally occupying the Northern Territories.
Source report
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's first-ever visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, calling it "absolutely unacceptable" and reiterating that the islands are "inherently Japanese territory."
Key Developments
- Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands came shortly after Japan published its 2026 defense white paper.
- Takaichi's response: In a post on X, she stated that Tokyo had "repeatedly requested the Russian side to ensure that the president does not visit the Northern Territories."
- Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also criticized the visit, posting on Facebook that "Japan strongly protests this visit."
Background on the Kuril Islands
The Kuril Islands are located between the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and the northeastern corner of Japan's Hokkaido. This sparsely populated, volcanic archipelago separates the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean.
The four southernmost islands were annexed by the Soviet Union when it launched an invasion of Japanese territory toward the end of World War II. Japan renounced "all right, title and claim to the Kuril Islands" in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco but did not recognize Soviet sovereignty over the territory.
The dispute has prevented Tokyo and Moscow from signing a peace treaty since the end of the war, although a 1956 joint declaration ended the state of war between the two nations.
Details of Putin's Visit
During his trip, Putin visited the island of Iturup, where Russia operates a strategically important military base. He toured a fish processing complex, a hospital, and a school, before holding a meeting with Valery Limarenko, the regional governor of Sakhalin.
Japan's Defense White Paper
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said that Putin's visit was likely part of the Kremlin's response to Japan's latest defense white paper and aimed to undermine Takaichi's efforts to improve Japan's defense capabilities.
Japan published its defense white paper earlier in August, prompting outcry from Putin and Russia's ally, North Korea. The Russian president criticized the white paper for identifying Moscow as one of Tokyo's critical threats.
The white paper stated: "Russia is continuing active military activities in the Northern Territories, which are inherent territories of Japan, under illegal occupation."
Source
US Top News and AnalysisWestern
Part of this Story
Putin Visits Disputed Kuril Islands, Japan Protests, West Warned