Putin Visits Iturup Island Amid Japan-Russia Dispute

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island, also known as Etorofu in Japan, on 13 August 2026. Iturup is one of the four main islands in the Kuril Islands chain, which Japan calls the Northern Territories and claims as its own territory.

Kuril Islands Dispute

The Kuril Islands are a volcanic archipelago stretching between Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido. The dispute concerns four islands in the southern part of the chain: Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai islets. Japan and Russia have never signed a peace treaty formally ending the Second World War territorial dispute over these islands.

Iturup Island and Sakhalin Oblast

Iturup is the largest island in the disputed group and lies under Russian administration as part of Sakhalin Oblast. The island contains the Yasny fish-processing complex, local schools and medical facilities, which are part of the civilian infrastructure visited by Putin on 13 August 2026. The island is also known for its strategic location in the north-western Pacific Ocean.

Diplomatic Exchanges Between Japan and Russia

Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev after the visit and lodged a formal protest. Russia later summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto in Moscow and protested Japan’s criticism of the trip. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated that Russia reserves the right to take countermeasures in response to Japan’s sanctions and support for Ukraine.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Kuril Islands are also called the Northern Territories in Japan.
• Iturup is known as Etorofu in Japanese usage.
• The four disputed islands are Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai islets.
• Sakhalin Oblast is the Russian federal subject that administers the disputed islands.

Previous High-Level Visits

Vladimir Putin became only the second Russian leader to visit the disputed archipelago. Dmitry Medvedev visited the islands several times between 2010 and 2015, including during his tenure as President of Russia and later as Prime Minister.