Tokyo prepares a response to Putin’s visit to an island Japan considers its own
Kyiv • UNN
Japan plans to strengthen sanctions against Russia over Putin’s visit to Iturup, which Tokyo considers its territory. The prime minister called the visit unacceptable, and the Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador to protest.
The Japanese government plans to consider countermeasures in connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to one of the four islands controlled by the Russian Federation but claimed by Japan. NHK reports, according to UNN.
Details
One possible measure is to strengthen the existing sanctions that Tokyo has already imposed on Moscow together with the international community over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In Japan, these islands are called the Northern Territories. The Japanese government insists that the islands are an integral part of Japan’s territory. According to the government, the islands were illegally occupied after World War II.
On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi commented on Putin’s trip to Iturup, one of these islands. She emphasized that the islands "are an integral part of Japan’s territory in light of historical facts and in accordance with international law."
Takaichi noted that the visit by the incumbent president of Russia "is incompatible with the consistent position of the Japanese government" regarding these islands. She also stated that the visit "hurts the feelings of the Japanese people and is completely unacceptable."
The prime minister added that the visit "has further complicated the restoration of Japanese-Russian relations in the medium and long term."
Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned Russia’s ambassador to Japan, Nikolai Nozdrev, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo.
During the meeting, Motegi strongly protested Putin’s visit. The minister stated that the very fact that the visit was carried out unilaterally has an extremely negative impact on bilateral relations. Motegi asked Nozdrev to promptly convey these positions to the Russian government.
In 2022, Russia announced its intention to suspend negotiations with Japan on a peace treaty after Tokyo imposed sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. The negotiations concern the territorial dispute over the islands.
The Japanese government continues to pursue a policy of maintaining contacts with Russia, despite the protracted conflict in Ukraine. Last month, Motegi briefly exchanged views with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the Philippines.
Analysts note that the already-cool bilateral relations are likely to face even greater strain.
We remind you
Putin visited the Kuril island of Iturup for the first time; the island is the subject of a territorial dispute with Japan. He inspected a fish-processing plant, demonstrating Moscow’s position regarding control over the islands.