Putin Makes First Visit to Disputed Kuril Island, Japan Protests

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first in-person visit to Iturup, one of the Kuril Islands that Japan claims as its own, according to Russian state media. The trip, reported on Thursday, came just a day after Moscow concluded large-scale naval exercises in the region and North Korea, a Russian ally, test-fired a ballistic missile.

The island, known as Etorofu in Japan, sits at the southern end of the Kuril chain, close to Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. The territorial dispute over Iturup and several neighbouring islands has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from signing a formal peace treaty to end World War Two hostilities.

During his visit, Putin toured the Yasny fish-processing plant on the island. Television footage showed the president in a dark suit examining large tuna and halibut on a table while officials discussed fishing patterns and fish migration. He also paused to sample local fish roe and chatted with residents, complimenting the weather and joking with a local woman.

Japan's foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, responded swiftly, posting a protest on social media. He stated that the islands, including Etorofu, are Japan's inherent territory both historically and under international law, and said Tokyo strongly protests the visit.

The trip follows heightened regional tensions, including Wednesday's North Korean missile launch toward the sea east of the Korean peninsula. That test came days before planned joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington, which Pyongyang has long condemned.