Putin stokes Japan tensions with visit to disputed island

Russian President Vladimir Putin has triggered a major diplomatic row with Japan by visiting Iturup, one of four islands claimed by Tokyo in the Kuril Islands chain. The surprise trip to the contested territory has sparked sharp exchanges between Moscow and the Japanese government, with both sides escalating their rhetoric over the disputed region.

Japan’s government issued a formal protest against the visit, calling it a provocative move that undermines regional stability. Tokyo has long demanded the return of the four southernmost Kuril Islands, which Russia has controlled since the end of the Second World War. The islands remain a longstanding source of tension between the neighbouring countries, with Japan viewing their return as essential to normalising bilateral relations.

In response to the Japanese criticism, Moscow summoned Japan’s ambassador and accused Tokyo of crossing “the line of good taste.” The Kremlin appears to have deliberately used the visit as a show of strength and control over the disputed territories. The move is likely to further complicate diplomatic efforts between the two nations, particularly as Russia faces international isolation over its actions in Ukraine.

The dispute over the Kuril Islands has been unresolved for decades. While Russia has occupied the islands since 1945, Japan has maintained its claim and previously hoped to use economic incentives to negotiate their return. However, sanctions and the broader geopolitical tensions have made any such negotiations increasingly unlikely in the near term.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.