Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has strongly objected to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first-ever visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, declaring the move “absolutely unacceptable.” Through a post on social media, Takaichi emphasized that Tokyo had previously urged Moscow to prevent the presidential visit to the territory, which Japan refers to as the Northern Territories. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi similarly condemned the trip on social media, stating that Japan firmly opposes the action.
The Kuril Islands, an archipelago situated between Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido region, remain a source of contention between the two nations. The Soviet Union seized the four southernmost islands during its invasion near the end of World War II. Although Japan formally renounced claims to the Kuril Islands in 1951, the peace treaty did not acknowledge Soviet sovereignty over them, leaving the territorial dispute unresolved for decades.
During his visit, Putin toured the island of Iturup, where Russia maintains a strategically significant military installation. He visited various facilities including a fish-processing factory, medical center, and educational institution. Analysts suggest the visit served as a response to Japan’s recent defense white paper, which identified Russia as a critical threat and condemned Moscow’s ongoing military presence in the territory under what Japan characterizes as illegal occupation.
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