Post by : Badri Ariffin

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the disputed island of Iturup on Thursday, August 13, drawing a strong protest from Japan and adding fresh tension to already strained relations between Moscow and Tokyo.

Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, is one of four islands in the Kuril chain that Japan claims as its territory. The islands were seized by the Soviet Union in the days following Japan’s surrender at the end of World War Two in 1945.

Japan has continued to demand the return of the islands and has linked the territorial dispute to the signing of a formal peace treaty with Russia.

Japan Condemns Putin’s Visit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the visit as unacceptable and said it hurt the feelings of the Japanese people.

“We hope that the Russian side will take the seriousness of this matter fully to heart,” Takaichi said in a televised statement.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry later summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev to formally protest Putin’s visit to the disputed island.

Russia Rejects Japan’s Protest

Russia strongly rejected Tokyo’s criticism.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Japanese prime minister’s remarks were “absolutely unacceptable” and expressed “extreme outrage” over them.

According to Russian news agencies, Zakharova said Iturup, like the rest of the Kuril Islands, is legally an integral part of Russia. She also criticised Japanese officials for attempting to tell Moscow which parts of Russia its president could visit.

The Russian Embassy in Tokyo also defended Putin’s trip, saying the islands were an integral part of Russia and became Russian territory on “legitimate international grounds.”

The embassy said the Russian president’s travel within Russia was a matter for the Russian leadership and could not be discussed with other countries.

Putin Visits School, Hospital and Fish Plant

During his visit, Putin toured a school, a hospital and a fish-processing plant, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS.

It was reported as Putin’s first visit to the disputed Kuril island chain. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev became the first Russian leader to visit the islands in 2010.

A video released by the Kremlin showed Putin speaking with residents during the trip.

“What lovely weather you have there, just like a resort!” Putin said in the footage.

Dispute Remains a Major Issue Between Russia and Japan

The territorial dispute has remained a longstanding obstacle to closer relations between Russia and Japan.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated further after Putin ordered Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Japan condemned the invasion and joined other countries in imposing sanctions on Russia.

Putin’s visit also came two days before Japan was due to mark 81 years since its surrender brought World War Two to an end.

Russia and China Issue Joint Statement

Earlier on Thursday, Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev and Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao issued a joint statement opposing attempts to revise the results of World War Two.

The statement also warned against the remilitarisation of the Asia-Pacific region, language that reflects Moscow’s position on Japan’s territorial claims over the disputed islands.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also commented on the dispute on X, saying the islands “were, are, and will remain Russian land.”

He added: “Anyone who fails to understand this will face the monstrous consequences of their delusion.”

Why Is Iturup Island Disputed?

Iturup, or Etorofu in Japanese, is one of four Kuril Islands claimed by both Russia and Japan.

The islands were taken by the Soviet Union after Japan surrendered in 1945. Japan has maintained its claim to the territory and considers the dispute a major issue in its relations with Moscow.

Putin’s visit has now prompted a new diplomatic protest from Tokyo, while Russia has reaffirmed its position that the islands are Russian territory.

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