The diplomatic relations between Japan and Russia have faced a significant setback following Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the disputed Iturup Island. Japan has registered a strong and formal protest against this move, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi leading the condemnation. On Thursday, the Prime Minister described the visit as absolutely unacceptable, emphasizing that such actions by the Russian leadership cause significant damage to the bilateral ties between the two nations. The visit has not only sparked political outrage but has also intensified the long-standing resentment among the Japanese public regarding the territorial dispute.
The Significance of Putin's Visit to Iturup
According to reports from the Russian state news agency TASS, President Vladimir Putin arrived at Iturup Island on Thursday. This visit is particularly significant as it marks the first time the Russian President has set foot on any of the four disputed islands that are currently under Russian control but claimed by Japan. In Japan, this specific island is known as Etorofu. It's one of the four islands comprising the Southern Kuril chain, a region that has been a bone of contention between Moscow and Tokyo for decades. During his stay on the island, Putin visited the Yasny fish processing plant, a key industrial facility in the region, as shown in video footage released by the Kremlin's press service.
Japan's Repeated Requests Ignored
The Japanese government has expressed deep disappointment, noting that they had repeatedly requested Russia to refrain from such high-level visits to the disputed territories. Prime Minister Takaichi revealed that President Putin had expressed his desire to visit the region as early as January 2024. Since then, Tokyo has been consistently appealing to Moscow to avoid taking any steps that would further complicate the territorial issue. Despite these diplomatic efforts and clear communication from the Japanese side, the visit proceeded, leading to the current diplomatic friction. The Prime Minister stated that this move is completely contrary to Japan's long-standing position and hurts the sentiments of the Japanese people.
Historical Context and the Kuril Islands Dispute
The dispute centers around four islands located between Japan's Hokkaido and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. These islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia. The specific islands involved are Iturup (Etorofu), Kunashir (Kunashiri), Shikotan, and the Habomai islets. Japan maintains that these islands are its inherent territory based on historical facts and international law, specifically citing the 1855 Treaty of Shimoda. However, the situation changed drastically during the final days of World War II, while in August 1945, Soviet troops seized the islands, leading to the expulsion of approximately 17000 Japanese residents who were living there at the time. Since then, the islands have remained under Russian administration, preventing the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty to end World War II hostilities.
Impact on Future Peace Negotiations
Prime Minister Takaichi's official statement underscored that the Northern Territories are historically and legally the original territory of Japan. She reiterated that the visit by the current Russian President isn't in line with Japan's consistent stance on the Northern Territories. The protest highlights that such actions make the prospect of a peace agreement even more remote. The tension over these 4 islands continues to be a major hurdle in the normalization of relations. The Japanese government has made it clear that this act isn't tolerable and will lead to a further deterioration of the already strained ties between Tokyo and Moscow.