Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has visited the Kuril Islands for the first time, travelling to territory administered by Moscow but claimed by Japan. The visit has triggered a strong reaction from Tokyo. It added another strain to already difficult relations between the two countries.
Putin travelled to Iturup on Thursday. Iturup is the largest of the four southernmost islands claimed by Japan. During his visit, he met the regional governor and toured a fish-processing facility, a hospital and a school, according to Russian state media.
Japan refers to the four islands as the Northern Territories and maintains that they are part of its sovereign territory. The dispute dates back to the final days of the Second World War, when Soviet forces took control of the islands in 1945. The territorial disagreement has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from fully resolving their post-war differences.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly condemned Putin’s visit describing it as “absolutely unacceptable” and saying it had offended the feelings of the Japanese people.
The Japanese foreign ministry also lodged a formal protest. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo considers the disputed islands an integral part of Japanese territory, both historically and under international law. He subsequently summoned Russia’s ambassador to formally convey Japan’s objection.
Putin Rejects Claims That Russia Threatens Japan
The latest dispute comes as relations between Moscow and Tokyo have deteriorated considerably since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Japan has joined its G7 partners in imposing sanctions on Russia and has provided financial and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly criticised Tokyo’s position.
Speaking on Wednesday, Putin described Japan’s sanctions against Russia as unjustified and rejected the suggestion that Moscow poses a threat to Japan.
“Japan has identified Russia as a main source of threats,” Putin said. Also adding that Russia was not threatening Japan and instead accusing Tokyo of maintaining territorial claims against Russia.
The exchange reflects the broader deterioration in relations between the two countries which had previously sought closer economic and diplomatic engagement despite their unresolved territorial dispute.
Why the Kuril Islands Matter
There are four disputed islands – Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai Islands. They form part of the wider Kuril archipelago. The chain stretches from Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula towards Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
The islands are home to roughly 20,000 Russian residents. They are also known for their difficult climate, valuable fishing grounds and deposits of minerals such as gold and silver.
However, their strategic importance goes beyond natural resources. After taking control of the islands in 1945, the Soviet Union removed around 17,000 Japanese residents. During the Cold War, the islands became important military positions for Moscow, providing bases from which Soviet forces could monitor the surrounding waters and the Pacific. Russia has continued to strengthen its military presence in the region over the years, making the islands important not only to the territorial dispute but also to the wider security balance in the North Pacific.
Putin’s visit also came shortly after his trip to the nearby island of Sakhalin on Wednesday. Russian naval forces were conducting military exercises in the surrounding region and Putin chaired a meeting focused on security along Russia’s eastern borders.
His decision to visit the disputed islands in this wider security context is likely to further heighten concerns in Tokyo, particularly at a time when Japan and Russia already face deep political disagreements over the war in Ukraine and regional security.
