Putin Visits Disputed Islands, Russia Summons Japanese Envoy in Escalation
Russia and Japan Argue Over Islands: A Simple Guide to the Latest Dispute
Quick Summary: Russia called in Japan’s ambassador to complain after Japan criticized President Putin’s visit to a group of disputed islands. Both countries claim these islands, and the argument has stopped them from signing a peace treaty to officially end World War II hostilities.
What Happened?
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island—one of four islands in the Pacific Ocean that both Russia and Japan say belong to them.
Japan was not happy about this visit. Here’s how they responded:
| Japanese Official | Title | What They Said |
|---|---|---|
| Sanae Takaichi | Prime Minister | Called the visit "absolutely unacceptable" and "incompatible with Japan’s position" |
| Toshimitsu Motegi | Foreign Minister | Said Japan "strongly protests" and that the islands are "Japan’s inherent territory" |
In response, Russia summoned Japan’s ambassador (Akira Muto) for a formal meeting to lodge their own protest.
Why Are They Fighting Over These Islands?
The Basics
- What: A chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean called the Kuril Islands (Russia’s name) or Northern Territories (Japan’s name)
- Which ones: The four southernmost islands — including Iturup (which Japan calls Etorofu)
- When it started: The Soviet Union took control of these islands in the final days of World War II (1945)
- Current status: Russia controls them; Japan claims them
Why It Matters
Important Point: Because of this disagreement, Russia and Japan have never signed a peace treaty to formally end World War II hostilities between them. They’re technically still in a state of war on paper!
What Russia Says
During the meeting with Japan’s ambassador, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin made these points:
- Russia’s ownership is "absolutely unshakable"
- The islands became Russian "as a result of World War II" and this was confirmed by Allied Powers agreements and the UN Charter
- Japan questioning this is "absolutely unacceptable and unlawful"
- Because Japan has joined Western sanctions against Russia and supports Ukraine, Russia "reserves the right to take appropriate countermeasures"
What Japan Says
Japan’s embassy said their ambassador "appropriately explained the Japanese position" during the ~20-minute meeting, but didn’t share details about:
- How the ambassador responded to Russia’s territorial claims
- Whether Japan plans any retaliatory steps
Note: The embassy cited "the sensitivity of the issue" for not sharing more details.
The Bigger Picture: A Long-Standing Dispute
Decades of Failed Talks
- Many years of diplomatic negotiations
- No visible results — the dispute remains unresolved
- Russia has strengthened its military presence on the islands over the years
Putin’s Perspective
Speaking from a Russian warship during Pacific military drills, Putin said:
- Russia used to have "constructive relations" with Japanese leaders
- Mentioned former PM Shinzo Abe (assassinated in 2022) who "did much to bring Japan and Russia closer together"
- But Japan imposed sanctions on Russia after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine
- Japan listed Russia as a "primary threat"
- Despite this, Russia says it’s "ready to cooperate with all its neighbors, including Japan"
Timeline of Key Events
- 1945 — Soviet Union takes control of the four southern Kuril Islands at the end of WWII
- 1956 — Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration restores diplomatic relations, but no peace treaty signed due to island dispute
- Decades of negotiations — Multiple attempts to resolve the dispute fail
- February 2022 — Russia invades Ukraine; Japan joins Western sanctions
- September 2024 — Putin visits Iturup Island (first such visit by a Russian president)
- September 2024 — Japan’s PM and Foreign Minister condemn the visit
- September 2024 — Russia summons Japanese ambassador to protest Japan’s condemnation
Why This Matters to the World
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Regional Stability | Two major Asian powers in ongoing territorial dispute |
| Military Implications | Russia has built up military forces on the islands |
| Diplomatic Precedent | How territorial disputes are handled post-WWII |
| Russia-Japan Relations | Blocks full normalization of ties, including a peace treaty |
| Global Alliances | Japan’s alignment with West vs. Russia’s pivot to Asia |
Summary
In simple terms: Imagine two neighbors arguing over a fence line for nearly 80 years. They’ve never officially made peace after a big fight (WWII). Recently, one neighbor (Russia’s leader) walked right up to the disputed fence line (visited the island), and the other neighbor (Japan) yelled "Hey! That’s my property!" So the first neighbor called over the second neighbor’s representative (ambassador) to say "Actually, it’s mine, and by the way, you’ve been mean to me lately so I might do something about it."
Nothing has been resolved. The fence dispute continues.
FAQ
Q: Why doesn’t Japan just accept that Russia controls the islands?
A: Japan says the islands were taken illegally at the end of WWII and that international law supports their claim. They consider the islands "inherent territory" — meaning they believe the islands have always been Japanese historically and legally.
Q: Why did Putin visit the island now?
A: The article doesn’t state a specific reason, but it happened during Russian military drills in the Pacific. It may be a signal of Russia’s firm control, especially as relations with Japan have worsened over Ukraine.
Q: What "countermeasures" might Russia take?
A: The article doesn’t specify. "Countermeasures" could mean diplomatic actions, economic restrictions, military moves, or other steps. Russia didn’t spell it out.
Q: Has any progress ever been made on this dispute?
A: In 1956, the two sides agreed to restore diplomatic relations and discussed possibly returning two of the four islands to Japan. But a final peace treaty was never signed because they couldn’t agree on the other two islands.
Q: Do the islands have any value besides territory?
A: Yes! The Kuril Islands are strategically located for military access to the Pacific, and the surrounding waters are rich in fish, oil, gas, and mineral resources. They also have potential for tourism.
Final Thought: This dispute shows how historical grievances can last generations. Even though WWII ended in 1945, its unfinished business still shapes diplomacy in Northeast Asia today.