New Delhi: A visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin has reignited an 80-year-old dispute between Russia and Japan. Putin reached the disputed Iturup island on Thursday, August 13. Japan adopted it as its “northern areas” A strong protest was lodged against the move. India’s two staunch friends, Russia and Japan, are now at loggerheads over this island.
Putin’s first Kuril visit, Japan angry
According to Russian state media, Putin visited Iturup Island for the first time. He met local officials there, saw a fish processing plant and talked to local people.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi immediately issued a statement. He said that this visit of the Russian President is completely against Japan’s policy. “This has hurt the sentiments of the Japanese people. This step is not acceptable for Japan.” Japan calls this island ‘Etorufu’.
What is Iturup and why the controversy?
Iturup Island is south of the Kuril Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It is very close to Hokkaido island of Japan. These islands were captured by the Soviet Union in 1945, during the last days of the Second World War. Russia has been in control since then. But Japan claims 4 islands of the southern Kurils – Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai.
Japan these “northern region” Says. Russia considers them part of the Southern Kuriles. For this reason, there has not been a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan since WWII. Diplomatic relations were restored in 1956, but the land dispute still persists.
Time also became a cause of stress
Putin’s visit comes at a time when there is already tension in East Asia. On August 12, North Korea fired a ballistic missile. The test comes ahead of US-South Korea military exercises and now the Russian President’s visit to the island – adding to the strategic buzz in the region.
For Russia this is a message of sovereignty. Moscow has made clear that it will not give up its control over the islands and ties them to post-WWII international agreements.
It’s not just a question of land for Japan, it’s a question of security
For Tokyo, it is not just a matter of land. The Kuril Islands are strategically located between Japan and Russia’s Far East. Russia’s increasing military presence here increases Japan’s security concerns. Putin’s visit is even more sensitive for Japan, which considers China, Russia and North Korea a threat.
Now everyone’s eyes are on how Russia responds to Japan’s protest. At present, Putin’s action on the land of Iturup has once again reopened the decades-old wound.