Russia summons Japan's ambassador over Kuril Islands dispute following Putin's Pacific visit

Background to the Kuril dispute

In his remarks, Putin said Japan imposed sanctions on Russia after it sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022 and 'included Russia as one of the primary sources of threats', marking a change in the constructive relationship. Putin linked that shift to Japan's broader position on the Kuril Islands, a chain of Pacific islets controlled by Moscow since the end of the Second World War but claimed by Tokyo.

The Kurils have been at the centre of a territorial dispute between Moscow and Tokyo for more than seven decades. Successive Japanese governments have demanded the return of the southern islands, while Russia has insisted that Soviet control of the territory was confirmed by the post-war settlement. The disagreement has prevented the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the protest to Muto covered recent statements by Japanese officials that it characterised as unacceptable interference in Russian domestic affairs. The ministry did not name the officials or specify the exact comments under complaint, but said Japan's policies amounted to a 'deliberate deterioration' of bilateral ties.

Japan's response

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary responded to the summons by saying Tokyo would convey its position directly to Moscow through diplomatic channels. Japanese officials have previously said they are seeking a negotiated settlement to the Kuril dispute while maintaining sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Analysts in Tokyo said the timing of the summons was significant, coming shortly after Japan hosted a Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting and reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. One Japanese diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Kuril dispute and the question of sanctions were now bound together in ways that made a resolution harder.

Russia has increased military activity across the North Pacific in recent months, including live-fire drills and air patrols near the Kuril chain. The exercises aboard the Marshal Shaposhnikov, which Putin visited by helicopter, were framed by the Kremlin as routine but drew attention because of the president's direct intervention in the diplomatic dispute.

A new low in bilateral ties

The ministry said it would continue to press Japan on what it called violations of prior understandings about the Kurils. It gave no indication that further diplomatic action was planned, but warned that Russia reserved the right to respond to any additional 'unfriendly steps' by Tokyo.

The episode marks one of the lowest points in Russian-Tapanese relations since Shinzo Abe stepped down in 2020. Abe had pursued a personal diplomatic track with Putin, including more than two dozen face-to-face meetings aimed at resolving the territorial dispute, and his death in July 2022 has since been cited by Moscow as a turning point in the relationship.

Public reaction in Japan was muted but critical, with several opposition lawmakers accusing the government of failing to push back firmly enough against Russian rhetoric. Fumio Kishida's office declined to answer questions about whether Japan would respond in kind by summoning Russia's ambassador in Tokyo.