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Putin visits disputed Kuril island; Japan protests
Putin’s visit to Iturup has returned a long-running territorial dispute to the center of Japan-Russia relations.
What happened
Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Iturup, one of the Russia-administered Kuril Islands also claimed by Japan. He toured a fish-processing plant, hospital and school, and met residents and the Sakhalin governor. Japan lodged a diplomatic protest and summoned Russia’s ambassador, saying the trip hindered relations.
Numbers
- 4 islandsSouthern Kurils claimed by both
- First visitPutin’s first trip to chain
- 81 yearsSince Japan’s wartime surrender — The anniversary is approaching
Questions
- Why do both countries claim it?
- Moscow took the southern islands after Japan’s surrender in the Second World War, while Tokyo has sought their return ever since.
- Why has the dispute lasted?
- The territorial disagreement has blocked a formal postwar peace treaty, and Japan ties such a treaty to closer economic relations.
- What makes Putin’s trip notable?
- He is the first Russian president to visit the island chain; Dmitry Medvedev was the first Russian leader to visit.
- Why does Moscow value the islands?
- The archipelago has fishing grounds and minerals, and its location near Japan gives Russia a military foothold in the Pacific.
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Support and opposition
Who supports this, and why
Russian government — The islands’ sovereignty was settled by postwar international documents, and Japan changed its earlier approach to relations.
Who opposes this, and why
Japanese government — The four islands are historically and legally Japanese territory, so a presidential visit there cannot be accepted.
The catch
Coverage does not show whether either government will take steps beyond Japan’s diplomatic protest.