Takaichi Responds After Putin Visits Disputed Kuril Islands
PM Sanae Takaichi spoke to reporters in Tokyo after President Putin's visit to the Russian-held Kuril Islands, which Japan also claims.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed journalists in Tokyo on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands. The island chain, located in the Pacific, is under Russian control but is also claimed by Japan.
The Prime Minister's remarks came shortly after news of Mr. Putin's trip surfaced. The Kuril Islands have long been a point of friction in Japan-Russia relations, with the territorial dispute dating back to the end of World War II.
Tokyo maintains its claim over the southernmost islands of the chain, which it calls the Northern Territories. Moscow, however, asserts its sovereignty over the entire archipelago.
Mr. Putin's visit is seen as a significant move, given the sensitivity of the issue. The Japanese government has consistently sought a resolution to the dispute, though progress has been limited in recent years.
Ms. Takaichi's public statement signals Tokyo's continued attention to the matter. The exact content of her remarks was not immediately detailed, but the timing underscores the diplomatic weight of the Russian leader's action.