On August 8, Japanese Foreign Minister Takaichi strongly protested Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the islands disputed between the two countries. Tokyo considers the move inconsistent with Japan's position on the territorial issue.
Speaking to the press, Takaichi emphasized that the Russian leader's visit to the area is "unacceptable" and runs counter to the Japanese government's consistent stance. She also reaffirmed Tokyo's sovereignty over the islands under Russian control.
The disputed islands—called the Northern Territories by Japan and the Southern Kurils by Russia—have long been a flashpoint in bilateral relations. The two countries have not signed a peace treaty after World War II due to this issue.
Russia's move comes amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Western nations, including Japan, with little sign of easing. Tokyo has repeatedly called for dialogue to resolve the dispute, but negotiations have yet to achieve a significant breakthrough.
