On the 13th, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova issued a statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry website, refuting comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi regarding Russian President Putin’s visit to Iturup Island (called Etorofu Island by Japan). She stated that these remarks are politically meaningless, insulting in nature, and lack legal validity.
Zakharova said that according to the results of World War II, the relevant agreements among the Allied Powers, and the United Nations Charter, the Southern Kuril Islands (called the Northern Territories by Japan) belong to Russia. Iturup Island is part of the Southern Kuril Islands and constitutes an inseparable part of Russian territory. The statements by Sanae Takaichi and Toshimitsu Motegi are outrageous, completely unacceptable, laden with revengeful sentiment, and have a negative impact on all Japan’s neighbors and the entire Asia-Pacific region.
She pointed out that nearly 81 years have passed since Japan signed its unconditional surrender, yet Tokyo is once again promoting revisionist rhetoric in an attempt to excuse its acts of aggression in Asia and making absurd territorial claims against Russia. Such shortsighted policies run counter to the efforts of most Asian countries to maintain peace, security, and cooperation, and will bring serious risks to the Japanese people.
Zakharova said that Japan, following Western states, has imposed illegal sanctions against Russia and has provided various forms of support to Ukraine, including military technology. In essence, these actions are thoroughly undermining Russia-Japan relations, demonstrating that Tokyo has chosen an almost hostile anti-Russian course. This approach does not serve the interests of the Japanese people.
On the 13th, Putin set foot for the first time on the disputed Southern Kuril Islands. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi then held a press conference to lodge a strong protest, stating that the Northern Territories are Japan's inherent territory and that Putin's action was absolutely unacceptable. Putin's move further worsened Japanese public opinion toward Russia and has made restoring bilateral relations in the mid- to long-term more difficult. On the same day, Toshimitsu Motegi summoned the Russian ambassador to Japan to protest Putin's visit to the islands.
Past, Present, and Future—Always Russian Territory
Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the United Russia Party, Medvedev, said on the 13th that the Southern Kuril Islands were, are, and always will be Russian territory, and the remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will change nothing.
He stated on social media that Sanae Takaichi’s casual claim that 'the Southern Kuril Islands have always belonged to Japan' is nonsense that will change nothing—the Southern Kuril Islands were, are, and always will be Russian territory. Those who fail to understand this will face dire consequences for their fallacious beliefs.