Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Japan’s Northern Territories for the first time. Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them, and has strongly protested the visit.
Russia’s presidential office announced on Thursday that Putin inspected a seafood processing facility on Etorofu Island. Japan claims four of the Russian-controlled islands.
The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan’s territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
Japan has engaged in negotiations with Russia in line with its basic policy of settling the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty. Negotiations became active under former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s administration.
In a summit meeting between Abe and Putin held in Singapore in 2018, the leaders agreed to accelerate negotiations. But talks have not progressed since then.
Japan started tightening economic sanctions against Moscow in March 2022, in coordination with Western nations, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow protested the sanctions and expressed its intention to suspend talks with Japan toward a peace treaty, including discussions on the islands. Russia then sent a succession of high-ranking officials to Etorofu Island.
On Wednesday, Putin criticized Japan while inspecting drills by the Russian Pacific Fleet. His visit to the island appears to be an effort to keep Japan in check as the invasion of Ukraine drags on.
Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu posted a message on social media. It reads: “The Northern Territories, including Etorofu Island, are our country’s inherent territory historically and even under international law. Japan strongly protests this visit.”
Background to Northern Territories issue
The Japanese government has consistently maintained that the four islands of the Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan’s territory. Japan has engaged in negotiations with Russia in line with its basic policy of settling the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty.
Negotiations became active under former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s administration.
In a summit meeting between Abe and President Vladimir Putin in Singapore in 2018, the leaders agreed to accelerate negotiations based on a 1956 joint declaration. This states that two of the islands, Habomai and Shikotan, would be returned to Japan after a peace treaty is concluded.
However, negotiations have not made progress since then, with the two sides unable to narrow their differences regarding the sovereignty over the islands and other issues.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the negotiations were suspended altogether.
The Japanese government has condemned Russia’s invasion as an outrageous act that shakes the foundations of the international order. It has kept sanctions against Russia in coordination with other Group of Seven nations and the wider international community.
Russia has sent cabinet ministers to the islands.
In July 2023, deputy prime minister Yury Trutnev, who is also Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, visited Etorofu Island.
In July 2024, Trutnev again visited Etorofu, along with Alexei Chekunkov, minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic. They inspected the sites of investment projects that included hotels and other tourist facilities.
In January 2024, Putin hinted at making his first visit to the islands. He said that unfortunately, he has never been to the islands, but will definitely go there.
AloJapan.com