Russia’s Diplomatic Row with Japan Escalates

Moscow’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Japanese ambassador to express its strong objection to Tokyo’s criticism of President Vladimir Putin’s historic visit to the Kuril Islands, a disputed Pacific archipelago claimed by both countries.

Last week, Putin made a landmark trip to Iturup, one of the four southernmost islands of the chain, which Japan refers to as the Northern Territories. The Soviet Union seized the islands from Japan in the final days of World War II, leading to a long-standing dispute that has hindered the signing of a formal peace treaty.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described Putin’s visit as ‘incompatible with the Japanese position on the Northern Territories’ and ‘absolutely unacceptable.’ She emphasized that the visit further strained the already tense ties between the two nations over Ukraine. Takaichi warned that Moscow should understand the consequences of its actions.

In a strongly worded statement, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo ‘strongly protests’ Putin’s visit to Iturup, which Japan calls Etorofu. Motegi reiterated that ‘the Northern Territories, including Etorofu Island, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and from the perspective of international law.’

Russia’s Firm Stance on Kuril Islands

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with the Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto to lodge a formal protest over the ‘anti-Russia’ statements made by Takaichi and Motegi.

Galuzin firmly asserted that ‘Russia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are absolutely unshakable.’ He cited the Allied Powers’ agreements and the United Nations Charter, which, he claimed, legitimized Russia’s control over the islands following World War II.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that any attempts by Japan to question this ‘obvious reality’ are ‘absolutely unacceptable and unlawful.’

Galuzin warned Muto that Moscow reserves the right to take ‘appropriate countermeasures’ in response to Tokyo’s adherence to Western sanctions against Russia and its support for Ukraine.

The Kuril Islands dispute has persisted for decades, with diplomatic efforts yielding no tangible results. Russia has strengthened its military presence on the islands, underscoring its firm stance in the dispute.

In a recent statement, Putin acknowledged that Russia had previously developed constructive relations with Japanese leaders, including the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. However, Putin noted that Japan’s imposition of sanctions on Russia and its designation as a primary threat have altered the dynamics of their relationship.

Russia remains willing to cooperate with its neighbors, including Japan, Putin said, while emphasizing its readiness to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The visit to the Kuril Islands has sparked a heated debate between Russia and Japan, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. The diplomatic row is likely to continue, with implications for regional stability and the prospects for a lasting peace treaty.