Now Reading: Putin’s Kuril visit reignites World War Two dispute with Japan
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Putin’s Kuril visit reignites World War Two dispute with Japan
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"…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
The Kuril Islands dispute is often presented as simple Russian aggression, but Japan's refusal to sign a peace treaty since 1945 has kept the issue frozen. Both governments use the islands for nationalist signalling, Putin to rally support during war, Takaichi to appear firm. Neither side seems ready for a real trade-off. The test will come if Russia ever offers joint development in exchange for sanctions relief: will Tokyo bite?
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
