Archive · 14 Aug 2026
US backs Japan sovereignty as Putin visits disputed Northern Territories
There are some islands in the ocean near Japan and Russia that both countries say belong to them.
Japan calls them the Northern Territories, and Russia calls them the Southern Kurils.
Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, visited one of the islands called Iturup, also known as Etorofu.
Japan's leader, Sanae Takaichi, said the visit was very wrong.
She said the islands have always been Japanese territory.
The United States said it supports Japan's claim to the islands.
Japan called in the Russian ambassador to complain about the visit.
The disagreement over these islands began after World War II.
Japan says the Soviet Union took the islands illegally, but Russia says the takeover was legal.
US Ambassador George Edward Glass expressed unwavering US support for Japanese sovereignty over the Northern Territories.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly protested Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup (Etorofu) Island.
Takaichi called the visit 'absolutely unacceptable' and said it was incompatible with Japan's consistent position on the Northern Territories.
The Japanese government summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev and lodged a strong protest over the visit.
Japan and Russia remain in a territorial dispute over the islands, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan, with Japan calling the Soviet seizure illegal and Russia calling it legitimate.
- Who
- US Ambassador George Edward Glass, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev
- What
- The US expressed support for Japanese sovereignty over the Northern Territories after Vladimir Putin visited Iturup (Etorofu) Island, a visit Japan strongly protested.
- When
- On the 13th of the month, when Putin's visit was reported and Japan lodged its protest; the exact month and year are not specified in the articles.
- Where
- Tokyo, Japan, and Iturup (Etorofu) Island in the disputed island chain between Japan and Russia.
- Why
- Japan and Russia dispute sovereignty over the islands (Northern Territories in Japan, Southern Kurils in Russia), and Japan considers Putin's visit incompatible with its consistent position.
Japan's position
Russia's position
Sovereignty over the islands
Japan's position
The Northern Territories are inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law.
Russia's position
The islands, known in Russia as the Southern Kurils, were legitimately seized by the Soviet Union after Japan's surrender in World War II.
Putin's visit to Iturup Island
Japan's position
The visit by Russia's incumbent president is absolutely unacceptable, wounds the feelings of the Japanese people, and makes medium- to long-term recovery of Japan-Russia relations more difficult.
Russia's position
Putin had stated in January 2024 that he would definitely visit the Northern Territories, and he carried out the visit despite Japan's repeated requests not to.
- US Ambassador to Japan
- George Edward Glass
- Japanese Prime Minister
- Sanae Takaichi
- Russian President
- Vladimir Putin
- Island visited by Putin
- Iturup (Etorofu) Island
- Japanese name for the islands
- Northern Territories
- Russian name for the islands
- Southern Kurils
- Islands in dispute
- Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, Habomai islet group
- Russian ambassador summoned
- Nikolay Nozdrev