Kathmandu— Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands on Thursday, a chain of Pacific islands also claimed by Japan, sparking strong protests from Tokyo. The islands were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and have remained a point of contention between the two countries ever since. Putin met with local officials and toured facilities on Iturup Island, while Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denounced the visit as “absolutely unacceptable.”

Territorial Dispute Background

Japan asserts territorial rights to the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain, which it refers to as the Northern Territories. These islands – Kunashir, Habomai, Shikotan and Iturup (known as Kunashiri, Habomai, Shikotan and Etorofu in Japanese) – were seized by the Soviet Union during World War II. The dispute has prevented the signing of a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan.

Japanese Government Response

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly condemned Putin’s visit, stating it “offends the sentiments of the Japanese people” and goes against Japan's long-held position on the islands. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi echoed this sentiment, asserting that the disputed islands are historically and legally part of Japan.

Russian Justification and Regional Security

Putin defended his visit, claiming Russia is not a threat to Japan and pointing out Japan’s territorial claims against Russia. He also criticized Japanese sanctions imposed following the conflict in Ukraine as “unprovoked.” The trip followed a naval drill on nearby Sakhalin Island and a meeting focused on securing Russia's eastern borders.

Strategic Importance of the Islands

The Kuril Islands, a volcanic archipelago stretching between Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido, hold strategic importance for Russia. Following their occupation in 1945, Moscow deported the islands’ Japanese population of approximately 17,000 people. During the Cold War, they served as vital air and sea bases, and Russia has since increased its military presence there. The islands also possess mineral deposits like gold and silver, along with rich fishing grounds.

Relations between Japan and Russia have significantly deteriorated since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, making a resolution to the territorial dispute appear increasingly distant.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.