# Putin’s Kuril visit reignites World War Two dispute with Japan

2026-08-14T21:44:26+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, one of the four Kuril Islands claimed by Japan, drawing a strong protest from Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the visit was "absolutely unacceptable" and hurts Japanese feelings. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova rejected the protest, insisting Iturup is legally part of Russia. The dispute dates to 1945 when Russia seized the islands after Japan's World War Two surrender. Putin toured a school, hospital, and fish plant on the island. The visit came ahead of Japan's surrender anniversary and amid worsened ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

## Coverage

- economictimes.indiatimes.com <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/why-putins-first-kuril-islands-visit-has-shocked-japan-why-did-he-go-there-now-and-how-is-a-ww2-era-dispute-pushing-russia-and-japan-further-apart/articleshow/133248015.cms>

Tags: Japan, Kuril Islands, Russia, Sanae Takaichi, Vladimir Putin
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