Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Iturup Island, which Japan describes as its Northern Territories, has drawn a strong warning from Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi.
Iturup Island is a disputed territory between the two countries as both claim it as its own. It has been under Russian control since Soviet Union forces took control of it after World War II.
The 73-year-old Russian leader’s visit to the largest of four islands, claimed by Japan as inherently Japanese territory, on Thursday has reignited the decades-old territorial dispute between two countries.
He toured a fish-processing facility, a hospital and a school while meeting local officials and residents, marking his first visit to the territory since he took over as Russian president a quarter century ago.
Though the conflict over the territory between the two countries has never really made international headlines, it has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a formal post-war peace treaty.
Putin’s visit has now triggered a sharp response from Tokyo.
Prime Minister Takaichi strongly protested the visit, stating, “The Northern Territories are inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law, and this visit to Iturup Island by Russia’s incumbent president is incompatible with Japan’s consistent position on the Northern Territories.”
She said the visit brings back painful memories for Japanese people and was “absolutely unacceptable.”
Takaichi added that Putin’s visit has hardened “anti-Russia” sentiment in the country, while hoping that the Russian side “will take the gravity of this matter very seriously.”
Head of Russia’s National Security Council Dmitry Medvedev reacted to Japan’s criticism of Putin’s visit, saying, “Japan’s PM Takaichi can prattle on all she likes about the Kuril Islands being ‘historically Japanese,’ but this chatter won’t change a thing.”
He added, “They were, are, and will remain Russian land. Anyone who fails to understand this will face the monstrous consequences of their delusion.”
2026-08-13 19:26:00
