Japan today issued a sharp protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup, the largest of the Kuril islands currently administered by Russia but claimed by Japan as part of its Northern Territories.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reaffirmed that the islands are "inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law" and denounced the visit as a violation of Japan’s sovereignty.
During the brief stop, Putin was reported to have sampled local fish roe and spoken with island residents, actions that Russian state media framed as a display of Russia’s strategic presence in the region.
The Kuril dispute has prevented a formal peace treaty between Tokyo and Moscow since the end of World War Two. Iturup hosts Russia’s primary military air base in the area, underscoring the islands’ strategic importance.
Recent joint patrols by Chinese and Russian naval warships through the Kuril strait, along with Russia’s annual military drills near the islands, have further heightened tensions and drawn condemnation from Japan.
For readers interested in a deeper, interactive experience, our metaverse platform offers live virtual press conferences and 3D explorations of the island region, providing immersive context to the ongoing diplomatic standoff.
