Japan Summons Russian Ambassador Over Putin’s Disputed Islands Visit

Japan has formally protested Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first visit to the four disputed Kuril Islands, calling the trip “absolutely unacceptable.” Prime Minister of Japan stated that the islands “are an inherent part of Japan’s territory,” and the government summoned Russia’s ambassador in response to the move. The islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia, have been a point of friction between the two nations since the end of World War II. Tokyo claims sovereignty over the chain, while Moscow maintains control. Putin’s visit marks a significant escalation in the long-running territorial dispute. Japan’s protest was delivered directly to Russia’s ambassador, signaling strong diplomatic disapproval. No further steps were announced, but the summoning of the ambassador underscores the seriousness of the matter for Tokyo.