Putin's First Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands Draws Japan Protest

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his inaugural visit to the Kuril Islands on Thursday, a territory also claimed by Japan, prompting a strong protest from Tokyo. The islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and have long been a point of contention in Russian-Japanese relations. During his visit, Putin inspected a fish-processing plant and was given caviar, as shown in a video posted by the Kremlin. He traveled to the Kurils after visiting the nearby island of Sakhalin, where Russia's navy was conducting drills and where he held a meeting on ensuring the security of Russia's eastern borders, according to RIA Novosti. Japan's objection comes amid worsening ties with Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while Moscow's relations with China and North Korea have warmed. The visit marks a significant escalation in the territorial dispute, with Japan asserting its claim over the islands.