Putin makes first visit to disputed Pacific islands, drawing protest from Tokyo

Russian President Vladimir Putin has traveled to a disputed chain of islands in the Pacific for the first time, a trip that quickly drew a formal protest from Tokyo.

At the center of the dispute are the four southernmost islands in the chain, which Japan also claims as its own. Tokyo refers to these islands as the Northern Territories and considers them Japanese, not Russian, territory.

Japan's response

Upon learning of Putin's visit, Japan lodged an official protest with Russia. Tokyo reiterated that it does not recognize Russian sovereignty over the islands and regards them as part of its own territory.

A symbolic gesture

The fact that this marks Putin's first visit to the islands gives the trip added political weight. It is being read as a signal that Russia intends to keep asserting its presence and its claim over the contested territory, despite Japan's objections.

The disagreement between the two countries over the islands' status continues to be a source of tension in their bilateral relationship. Japan continues to press its diplomatic case that the disputed islands belong to it, while Russia's move signals the opposite position. No formal agreement on the islands' status has been reached, and the visit underscores how the dispute continues to shape relations between Moscow and Tokyo today.