Russia and Japan Summon Ambassadors Over Kuril Islands Visit

Diplomatic relations between Russia and Japan deteriorated following Vladimir Putin's August 13 visit to Iturup Island in the Kuril chain. The visit, the first of its kind by the Russian president, prompted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to condemn the action as "absolutely unacceptable" and incompatible with Japan's position on the Northern Territories.

In response, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto to Moscow on August 18. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Japanese leadership of crossing the line of decency and criticized Ambassador Muto for initially ignoring summons on August 14 and 17, noting reports that the diplomat was either unwell or absent. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin informed Muto that Russia's sovereignty over the islands is "absolutely unshakable" and based on World War II agreements.

Japan maintains that the four southernmost islands are its inherent territory under international law. This territorial dispute has prevented the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty since the end of World War II. The current clash is further intensified by Japan's G7-aligned sanctions against Russia and its non-lethal military aid to Ukraine. Moscow has warned it reserves the right to take symmetrical countermeasures in response to Tokyo's support for Ukraine and its classification of Russia as a primary threat.