Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the disputed island of Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, on Thursday, prompting strong condemnation from Tokyo and renewed tensions between the two countries.
Iturup is one of four islands in the Kuril chain seized by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II. Japan continues to claim sovereignty over the islands, and their return has long been a key condition for signing a formal peace treaty with Russia.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Putin’s visit was “absolutely unacceptable” and hurt the feelings of the Japanese people. She urged Moscow to recognize the seriousness of the issue.
Russia quickly rejected Japan’s criticism. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Tokyo’s remarks as unacceptable and said Iturup, like the rest of the Kuril Islands, is legally part of Russia. She also accused Japan of attempting to dictate where Russia’s president could travel.
