Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:53am on 13 Aug 2026,Thursday International
Japan has strongly protested Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup, one of 4 disputed Kuril islands claimed by both countries. Putin visited the island on Thursday, marking his first visit to the disputed chain, according to Russian state media. Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the islands were “inherently Japanese territory” under history and international law. The Kuril dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a post-World War Two peace treaty. Russia administers the islands and has increased its military presence there. Japan has also imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and regularly protests Russian military activities near the islands. (PC: HT)
