Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first official visit to the Kuril Islands, traveling to Iturup Island, one of the four islands claimed by Japan and referred to as the "Northern Territories." This prompted a strong protest from the Japanese government, which asserted that the islands rightfully belong to Japan amid a decades-long sovereignty dispute between the two countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands in Russia's Far East today (13 Aug), marking his first visit there. This visit has caused significant displeasure in Japan, which also claims sovereignty over the islands.
Russian state media reported that Putin went to Iturup Island, called "Etorofu" by Japan, one of the four southern Kuril Islands disputed between the two countries. During his visit, the Russian leader toured a fish processing plant, sampled fish roe, and spoke with local residents.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong protest statement. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi declared that the islands, referred to by Japan as the "Northern Territories," are legitimately Japanese territory both historically and under international law. He emphasized the Japanese government's strong objection to Putin's visit.
The Kuril Islands dispute is a major issue straining Russia-Japan relations and is a primary reason why the two countries have yet to sign a peace treaty to officially end hostilities following World War II.
The Kuril Islands stretch in a long chain between Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. The four disputed islands—Kunashir, Habomai, Shikotan, and Iturup—are currently administered by Russia, while Japan collectively calls them the "Northern Territories."
The former Soviet Union seized the islands in the final days of World War II after declaring war on Japan on 8 August 1945 and subsequently expelled about 17,000 Japanese residents. Today, approximately 20,000 Russians live on these islands, which experience harsh weather and contain mineral resources such as gold and silver, as well as rich fishing grounds.
The Kuril Islands hold strategic military importance for Russia, serving as bases for air and naval forces and controlling sea routes in the Pacific Ocean. Iturup Island is notably used as a key Russian air base in the region.
Last month, Chinese and Russian warships passed through a strait in the Kuril Islands during joint patrols. Russia also conducted military exercises near the islands last year, drawing condemnation from Japan.
This visit follows Putin's trip to nearby Sakhalin Island and coincides with ongoing Russian naval exercises in the area. Putin also chaired a meeting focused on strengthening security along Russia's eastern borders.
Putin is not the first Russian leader to visit the disputed area. In 2010, then-President Dmitry Medvedev became the first Russian leader to visit the Kuril Islands and subsequently made several visits while serving as prime minister.
Although Russia and Japan have held multiple negotiations to resolve the dispute—including talks in 1956 after restoring diplomatic relations—no final agreement has been reached regarding the status of the four islands.
Relations between Russia and Japan have further deteriorated since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Meanwhile, Moscow has strengthened ties with China and North Korea, increasing the strategic and political sensitivity of the Kuril Islands dispute once again.