The Japanese government expressed strong disapproval following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the island known as Iturup in Russia and Etorofu in Japan on August 13, 2026. This island is part of an archipelago that Japan refers to as the Northern Territories and Russia calls the Kuril Islands. Japan claims these territories were unlawfully seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II.
During his visit, Putin stated that Russian ownership of the region is a reality supported by international documents. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi remarked that the visit contradicts Japan's position regarding the Northern Territories and emphasized that Japan's approach to resolving the sovereignty issue remains unchanged.
Historically, Japan controlled the islands until 1945, when Soviet forces took over, displacing approximately 17,500 Japanese residents. Currently, around 20,000 Russian citizens live on the islands, while about 5,000 Japanese former residents are still alive.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned the Russian Ambassador to Japan to lodge a formal protest against the visit, describing it as regrettable and detrimental to Japan-Russia relations, which are already strained due to Russia's actions in Ukraine. Motegi stated that the unilateral nature of the visit offends the sentiments of the Japanese people.
Putin's visit marks his first official trip to the island since he took office in 2000. The deteriorating relations between Japan and Russia have been exacerbated by Japan's alignment with G7 nations in sanctioning Russia and providing aid to Ukraine. In response to Japan's concerns, Putin asserted that Russia does not pose a threat to Japan and highlighted Japan's territorial claims against Russia.