politics
Putin visit to disputed islands has 'negative impact' on Japan relations
The Japanese government is outraged after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a tiny island north of Hokkaido, a territory that Tokyo has insisted was illegitimately stolen from the country in the final days of World War II.
TL;DR
- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu (Iturup), an island claimed by Japan as part of its "Northern Territories."
- Japan considers the islands historically and legally its own, asserting they were "illegally occupied" by the Soviet Union and Russia since 1945.
- The Japanese government lodged a strong protest with the Russian Ambassador, citing the visit's "extremely negative impact" on Japan-Russia relations.
- The visit occurred amidst already difficult relations, exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading Japan to align with G7 sanctions against Moscow.
- Putin asserted Russian ownership of the region is "reality" enshrined in "international documents," while Japan maintains its policy of resolving the sovereignty issue and concluding a peace treaty.
- Approximately 17,500 Japanese nationals were forced out of the islands when Soviet forces captured them in 1945; the islands are now home to 20,000 Russian citizens.