Putin's Kuril Visit Provokes Japan Over Ukraine Stance
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- Putin made his first-ever visit to the Kuril island of Iturup (called Etorofu by Japan), touring a school, hospital, and industrial facilities just two days before the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII.
- Japan PM Sanae Takaichi called the visit "absolutely unacceptable" on social media, declaring the islands ("Northern Territories") "inherently Japanese territory," while Russia's Foreign Ministry called them an "integral part" of Russia.
- The Kuril Islands were seized by Soviet troops two weeks after Japan's August 15, 1945 surrender, with 17,300 Japanese residents forced to leave over the following year — the dispute has prevented Russia and Japan from ever signing a formal peace treaty.
- Russia's 2020 constitutional amendment banning the ceding of any territory, combined with deepening nationalist sentiment, effectively makes the islands' return "impossible," according to Waseda University professor Toshimitsu Shigemura.
- Japan is constrained in its response: existing Ukraine sanctions are already in place, and dependence on Russian energy — made more important by the Iran situation — leaves Tokyo in a "relatively weak position," per Shigemura.
- Temple University professor James Brown said the visit sends a "clear message" to punish Japan for its Ukraine support and closer ties to NATO members, while also generating patriotic support among Russians of all political stripes domestically.
Why it matters: Putin's visit concretized Russia's claim to territory Japan has demanded for 80 years, eliminating any pretense of negotiation under his leadership. Japan has limited leverage — already-imposed Ukraine sanctions constrain new action, and energy dependence on Russia (heightened by the Iran situation) means Tokyo must respond with diplomatic protest rather than force, with experts saying no future Russian leader is likely to reverse the constitutional prohibition either.
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