Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Etorofu Island in the disputed Kuril chain, for the first time in his rule, on Thursday "absolutely unacceptable" and incompatible with Tokyo's position that the islands are "inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law."

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Etorofu Island in the disputed Kuril chain, for the first time in his rule, on Thursday "absolutely unacceptable" and incompatible with Tokyo's position that the islands are "inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law."

The four southern Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and have prevented the conclusion of a peace treaty. About 17,000 Japanese residents were deported then, and bilateral ties worsened after Japan's sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The four southern Kuril islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and have prevented the conclusion of a peace treaty. About 17,000 Japanese residents were deported then, and bilateral ties worsened after Japan's sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Japan maintains the islands are its territory historically and under international law based on a 1855 treaty. Russia administers them with a population of about 20,000 and has increased military presence including air bases on Iturup.

Japan maintains the islands are its territory historically and under international law based on a 1855 treaty. Russia administers them with a population of about 20,000 and has increased military presence including air bases on Iturup.

Putin toured a fish-processing plant, a school and a hospital on Etorofu. In Sakhalin, he criticized Japan's sanctions, saying they were "in no way provoked by us," while acknowledging former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's earlier constructive role in relations.

Putin toured a fish-processing plant, a school and a hospital on Etorofu. In Sakhalin, he criticized Japan's sanctions, saying they were "in no way provoked by us," while acknowledging former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's earlier constructive role in relations.

He inspected naval drills in Sakhalin before the island visit and stated that the islands are Russian territory. Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the trip.

He inspected naval drills in Sakhalin before the island visit and stated that the islands are Russian territory. Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the trip.

Takaichi said the visit hurts Japanese sentiment and makes it more difficult to restore relations in the medium- to long-term. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev responded that the islands will remain Russian land and "Anyone who fails to understand this will face the monstrous consequences of their delusion."

Takaichi said the visit hurts Japanese sentiment and makes it more difficult to restore relations in the medium- to long-term. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev responded that the islands will remain Russian land and "Anyone who fails to understand this will face the monstrous consequences of their delusion."

Japan's Takaichi Protests Putin's Kuril Islands Visit

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Japan's Takaichi Protests Putin's Kuril Islands Visit

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