Japan-Russia Relations

Putin's visit to disputed islands sparks Japanese anger

The Japanese government has summoned the Russian ambassador to protest President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, AFP reports.

Japan claims several of the islands, which came under Soviet control in 1945. Putin's trip is the first Russian visit to the islands since the end of World War II. Japan believes that the islands, which it calls the "Northern Territories", are an "inalienable" part of Japan both historically and under international law.

- The Japanese government strongly protests this visit, says Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

Japanese-Russian relations have deteriorated after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Japan has, among other things, been involved in imposing sanctions on Moscow.

Expert: Putin shows what cards he has in his hand

Russia has reinforced the disputed Kuril archipelago with defense systems and fighter jets in a way that gives Vladimir Putin the opportunity to control several important sea routes in the region. This is what Yee Kuang Heng, a security researcher at the University of Tokyo, told AFP.

He sees Putin's visit to the islands this week as a "reminder of what cards" he has in his hand.

- But also about his dissatisfaction with Japan's sanctions.

Japan claims several of the islands, which came under Soviet control at the end of World War II.