Russia Summons Japanese Envoy Over Putin's Visit to Disputed Islands

Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador on Tuesday to protest Tokyo's condemnation of President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the Kuril Islands, a Pacific archipelago claimed by both nations. Putin visited Iturup, one of the four southernmost islands in the chain that Japan refers to as the Northern Territories.

Territorial Dispute

The Soviet Union seized the islands from Japan in the final days of World War II. This territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty to end their hostilities. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Putin's visit, his first to the islands, was "incompatible with the Japanese position on the Northern Territories" and "absolutely unacceptable." She added that the visit further strains already tense relations between the two countries over Ukraine and that Moscow should recognize the consequences.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also lodged a "strong protest" regarding Putin's visit to Iturup, which Japan calls Etorofu. Motegi asserted that "the Northern Territories, including Etorofu Island, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and from the perspective of international law."

Diplomatic Protest and Russian Stance

On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto to formally protest the "anti-Russia" statements made by Takaichi and Motegi. According to the Foreign Ministry, Galuzin told Muto that "Russia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are absolutely unshakable."

Galuzin stated that the territories were transferred to Russia as a result of World War II, a fact enshrined in agreements among Allied Powers and the U.N. Charter. The ministry added that "any attempts by the Japanese side to directly or indirectly call this obvious reality into question are absolutely unacceptable and unlawful."

Given Tokyo's adherence to Western sanctions against Russia and its support for Ukraine, Galuzin informed the ambassador that "Moscow reserves the right to take appropriate countermeasures."

Historical Context and Relations

Decades of diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute have yielded no visible results. Over the years, Moscow has increased its military presence on the Kurils, underscoring its firm stance on the matter. President Putin noted last week that Moscow had previously maintained constructive relations with several Japanese leaders, including former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who he said had worked to bring Japan and Russia closer.

However, Putin also pointed out that Japan imposed sanctions on Russia after it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequently listed Russia as a primary threat, marking a departure from that constructive relationship. Putin concluded by stating that Russia remains ready "to cooperate with all its neighbors, including Japan and other states in the region."