Putin Visits Iturup: Japan Denounces Russian Trip to Disputed Kuril Island

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged that it is “inherently Japanese territory” both historically and under international law, strongly protesting President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup – one of the four southernmost islands in the Kuril chain that Japan and Russia both claim.

Putin’s trip, reported by Russian state media, saw him sample fish roe and speak with island locals, while critics say the visit signals Moscow’s intent to strengthen its military foothold in the region. Iturup hosts Russia’s primary military airbase in the Kuril Islands, making the island strategically important.

The Kuril dispute has kept Russia and Japan from signing a post‑World War II peace treaty for more than seventy years. Soviet annexation at the war’s end led to the deportation of some 17,000 Japanese residents.

Last month, Chinese and Russian warships conducted a joint patrol, and Russia held annual drills near the islands, drawing harsh condemnation from Japan.

Japan’s stern denunciation reflects persistent concerns over sovereignty, potential escalations, and the broader security environment in the Pacific.