Japan-Russia island tensions escalate

Russia Summons Japanese Ambassador As Kuril Islands Dispute Escalates

Russia has formally protested to Japan over escalating tensions surrounding a group of disputed islands controlled by Moscow but claimed by Tokyo.

The latest diplomatic confrontation came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to one of the disputed Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.

Japan described the Russian president’s visit as unacceptable, maintaining its longstanding position that the four disputed islands belong to Japan.

Russia responded by summoning Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto and protesting against Tokyo’s statements.

Moscow maintains that Russian sovereignty over the islands is not open to question and has warned Japan against challenging its control of the territory.

The islands have remained at the centre of tensions between the two countries for more than eight decades.

Soviet forces took control of the islands during the closing days of World War II in 1945. Japan has continued to claim four of the southern islands, arguing that they are historically Japanese territory.

The territorial disagreement has had consequences far beyond ownership of the islands. Japan and Russia have never concluded a formal peace treaty formally ending their World War II hostilities, with the territorial dispute remaining one of the principal obstacles.

Relations between Tokyo and Moscow have deteriorated further in recent years, particularly following Japan’s support for sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Putin’s visit has now placed the territorial dispute back at the centre of diplomatic tensions.

Japan continues to demand the return of the islands, while Russia has shown no indication that it intends to reconsider its sovereignty claims.

The latest exchange signals that one of East Asia’s longest-running territorial disputes remains unresolved, with relations between Japan and Russia facing another period of heightened tension.