Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands on Thursday, marking his first trip to the Pacific archipelago currently controlled by Moscow but claimed by Japan. During the visit to Iturup, one of the chain’s southern islands, Putin toured a fish plant, a hospital, and a school, while also meeting with Sakhalin Region Governor Valery Limarenko. Japan, which refers to the four southernmost islands as the Northern Territories, issued a formal diplomatic protest in response to the visit.
The territorial dispute dates back to the final days of World War II, when the Soviet Union seized the islands from Japan. This disagreement has prevented the two nations from signing a peace treaty to formally end their wartime hostilities. While diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement have continued for decades, they have not resulted in a resolution, and Moscow has increased its military presence in the region over time.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev to protest the visit, stating that the islands are Japan's "inherent territory" under international law. In response, the Russian Embassy in Japan called the protest "unfounded," asserting that the islands became a legitimate part of Russia following World War II. Putin stated Wednesday, during naval drills on Sakhalin Island, that while Russia remains prepared to seek a peace treaty, Japan’s decision to impose sanctions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine has altered the bilateral relationship.
The scale of the dispute involves four main islands, with Iturup being the largest of the Kuril chain. While specific trade or dollar figures were not reported in relation to this visit, the diplomatic friction involves Japan's ongoing sanctions against Russia, which were implemented in February 2022. These sanctions affect the broader economic relationship between the two countries, which Putin noted had previously been more "constructive" under former leaders such as Shinzo Abe.
The concrete day-to-day change for observers is an increase in regional tension and a hardening of public sentiment, as described by Prime Minister Takaichi. This may lead to further military posturing, as Moscow has already bolstered its military presence on the islands. For now, the primary knock-on effect is the continued absence of a formal peace treaty and the potential for increased restrictions on humanitarian visits. What happens next depends on how both nations navigate Japan’s existing sanctions and Russia's stated intent to maintain sovereignty over the islands, which former President Dmitry Medvedev reiterated would remain Russian land.