Putin Visits Japan-Claimed Kuril Island for First Time, Stirring Fresh Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup in the disputed Kuril Islands on Thursday, according to state news agency TASS, highlighting a territorial issue that has remained a major obstacle in Russia-Japan relations for decades.

Iturup is one of the islands claimed by both Russia and Japan. Tokyo refers to the islands as the Northern Territories, while Moscow administers them as part of Russia’s Far East.

Putin Visits Iturup

According to TASS, Putin travelled to Iturup after overseeing naval exercises in Russia’s Far East. The visit was described by the agency as his first in-person trip to the island chain.

During his visit, Putin toured the Yasny fish-processing plant, where officials briefed him on the local fishing industry and the movement of migratory fish.

Images broadcast by Russia’s Vesti TV showed Putin wearing a dark suit inside the facility, where two large fish, identified as tuna and halibut, were displayed on a table.

The Russian president also sampled locally produced fish roe during the visit.

Dispute Has Kept Peace Treaty Out of Reach

The Kuril Islands dispute has remained a central issue between Russia and Japan since the end of World War II.

The two countries have never formally concluded a World War II peace treaty, with their territorial disagreement over the islands remaining one of the key unresolved issues.

Japan claims the southern part of the Kuril chain, which includes Iturup, and calls the territory the Northern Territories. Russia has controlled the islands since the end of World War II.

Putin’s visit comes against the backdrop of the long-running territorial dispute and underscores Moscow’s continued administration of the contested islands.