Putin's first Kuril visit sparks Tokyo protest over disputed isles

Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands for the first time, drawing a strong protest from Japan over the four isles seized in 1945 and known as the Northern Territories. Tokyo says they remain part of Japan under international law, while Moscow highlights strategic bases, minerals and fishing grounds. The trip followed Putin’s visit to Sakhalin and navy drills, underscoring decades of Russia–Japan tensions with no progress on a peace treaty since 1956.