Russia’s Vladimir Putin ‘giving two fingers to Japan’ with pledged trip to disputed Kuril Islands

Putin says he plans to visit the Kurils, known in Japan as the Northern Territories, and would consider building up the travel sector there

Territorial rows have long plagued ties, and Japan’s support for Ukraine is just another reason for Russia to hit back against an ‘unfriendly state’, analysts say

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Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Kremlin/AP

Published: 2:30pm, 14 Jan 2024Updated: 12:43pm, 15 Jan 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to pay a visit to islands off northern Japan that were seized by Soviet forces in the closing days of World War II but are still claimed by Tokyo, in what analysts see as a calculated snub to Japan.

In a town hall meeting in the Khabarovsk region that was broadcast on state television on Thursday, Putin responded to a question about visiting the Kuril Islands, which are known in Japan as the Northern Territories.

“I have heard that [the Kuril Islands] are interesting, but unfortunately I have never been there,” Putin said. “So I will definitely go.”

Replying to another query about the possible development of the travel sector on the islands, the Russian leader said it would be the “right direction”. One potential area of development would be the modernisation of the airport on Kunashiri Island, he said.

Map of disputed waters that include the Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories. SCMP

The islands of Kunashiri, Shikotan, Etorofu and the Habomai islets were controlled by Japan in 1945, and were home to communities of farmers and fishermen. Virtually all of them were expelled after Soviet forces landed on August 18, three days after Japan had surrendered to end the war.