Putin visits Kuril Islands, prompting Japan to lodge formal protest

Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril islands for the first time since he became president, arriving on Thursday in a small aircraft that landed on one of the southernmost islands near Hokkaido. The trip sparked a sharp protest from Tokyo, which says the islands remain part of Japan and that Russia’s presence violates international law.

The Kuril dispute dates back to the end of World War II, when Soviet forces seized the islands from Japan in 1945. Japan still claims four of the islands—Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai group—calling them the Northern Territories. Negotiations over a peace treaty stalled in the 1970s after the Soviet Union began building a military base on Iturup. The islands are strategically important because they guard the Sea of Japan and give Russia a foothold in the Pacific.

During his stop, Putin met with local officials and inspected a naval installation that houses Russian submarines. He praised the “strong Russian‑Japanese friendship” and said the visit was a “sign of respect” for the region. Japan’s foreign ministry issued a statement calling the visit “unacceptable” and demanded that Russia withdraw its forces. The United States, which has a security alliance with Japan, urged both sides to avoid escalation and called for a renewed treaty.

Russia says it will continue to defend its sovereignty over the Kurils and will not negotiate a peace treaty until Japan ends its “unjust claims.” Tokyo has said it will keep diplomatic pressure and will seek support from the U.S. and other allies. The visit is likely to intensify tensions in the region, as both sides prepare for a new round of talks that could reshape security arrangements in the Pacific.