In brief
Japan’s foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi issued a strong protest after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Iturup island in the Kuril chain, an area claimed by both Russia and Japan. The visit underscores the decade‑long dispute preventing a post‑World War II peace treaty between Moscow and Tokyo. The Kuril islands sit between Hokkaido and the Kamchatka Peninsula, with Russia administering the southernmost islands and Japan arguing they are Japanese territory under international law. During his stop, Putin sampled local fish roe, spoke with residents, and confirmed that the islands serve as a key strategic military base. The incident follows recent joint naval patrols by Russia and China and recent Russian military drills in the vicinity.
Japan said it "strongly protests" Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to a disputed island chain.
Russian state media reported that it was Putin's first visit to Iturup (Etorofu), one of the four islands in the Kuril chain claimed by both Russia and Japan.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the islands are inherently Japanese territory, both historically and under international law, and the Government of Japan strongly protests this visit.
The dispute has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from signing a peace treaty after World War II.
The Kuril islands sit between Hokkaido in northern Japan and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula; the four southernmost islands are claimed by Japan, which calls them the Northern Territories.
They are administered by Russia. At the end of World War II the Soviet Union annexed the island chain and deported around 17,000 Japanese residents.
During the visit, Putin sampled fish roe and spoke to local residents, state media said.
The islands are strategic for Russia's military; Iturup hosts Russia's primary military air base in the region.
Last month Chinese and Russian naval warships sailed through a strait during a joint patrol.
Russia also held military drills near the islands last year, drawing condemnation from Japan.
