Putin’s Kuril Visit Exposes the Limits of Japan’s Russia Policy

Putin’s visit to Iturup demonstrated Russia’s confidence in its control over the Kuril Islands, exposing the failure of Japan’s attempt to combine territorial pressure, Western-aligned sanctions, and strategic containment of Moscow.

Photo: Gavriil Grigorov, RIA Novosti

Putin’s Visit Reinforces Russia’s Sovereignty Over the Kurils

The Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi criticized the visit, saying that Japan had “repeatedly requested the Russian side to ensure that the president does not visit the Kuril Islands.” She added that the visit was “absolutely unacceptable” because it “offends the sentiments of the Japanese people.” According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned the Russian ambassador to lodge a strong protest over President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands.

However, Moscow dismissed the protest. Putin called Tokyo’s sanctions “unprovoked.” He further stated, “Japan has identified Russia as a main source of threats. I would like to point out that we are not threatening Japan … On the contrary, it has territorial claims against our country.” During this visit, President Putin precisely exposed the gap between Japan’s rhetoric and its ability to alter Russian policy over the four islands. Japan claims these islands as its territories, while Russia regards them as part of its sovereign territory. For Japan, the islands remain an unresolved territorial question.........

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