Putin Visits Japan-Claimed Kuril Island Iturup Amid Territorial Dispute

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the disputed Kuril Islands has triggered a fresh diplomatic dispute with Japan, which claims sovereignty over four islands in the southern part of the archipelago. Putin travelled to the Far East region and visited Iturup Island, where the Kremlin said he toured a fish-processing plant. The visit marked Putin’s first trip to the region and prompted a strong protest from Tokyo.

The Kuril Islands are a chain of volcanic islands stretching between Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. While Russia administers the archipelago, Japan maintains claims over four islands at its southern end — Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai island group. Tokyo refers to these territories as the Northern Territories and has continued to seek their return through diplomatic channels.

The territorial dispute dates back to the final stages of World War II. The Soviet Union seized the Kuril Islands in the closing period of the war, including the four islands claimed by Japan. Japan disputes Russia’s sovereignty over the southernmost islands and has maintained that they form part of its territory. The dispute has remained unresolved for decades and has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from fully settling their postwar territorial differences.

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The issue has also affected efforts to formally resolve the countries’ relationship after World War II. Although Russia and Japan have maintained diplomatic relations, negotiations over the disputed islands have repeatedly faced obstacles. The territorial question has remained one of the most sensitive issues between the two countries, with both governments maintaining opposing positions on sovereignty.

Relations between Moscow and Tokyo have deteriorated further since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Japan joined Western countries in imposing sanctions on Russia and has provided support to Ukraine. Moscow has responded by taking measures against Japan and halting some negotiations related to the territorial dispute. The worsening bilateral relationship has made progress on the longstanding island dispute even more difficult.

Putin’s visit to Iturup therefore carries significance beyond a routine presidential trip to Russia’s Far East. By travelling to territory claimed by Japan and visiting a local industrial facility, Putin underscored Russia’s administration of the islands. Japan’s protest reflects its continuing objection to Russian control of the four disputed territories. The latest development is expected to add another point of friction to already strained relations between Moscow and Tokyo.

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