Putin's Visit to Disputed Island Escalates Japan-Russia Tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup Island has further strained relations between Japan and Russia, with both sides trading barbs over the disputed territory.
Japan and Russia have been at odds over the disputed Southern Kurils, also known as the Northern Territories, for decades. The islands have been occupied by Russia since the end of World War II, but Japan claims sovereignty over them.
The visit by Putin to Iturup Island on August 13 has enflamed tensions between the two nations. Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae responded to the visit, saying that it "hurts the feelings of the Japanese people and is absolutely unacceptable." She added that the visit has further hardened public sentiment toward Russia in Japan, making it difficult to restore relations over the medium to long term.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin summoned Japan's ambassador in Moscow, Muto Akira, to lodge a formal protest over Takaichi's "anti-Russia" statements. Galuzin stated that Russia's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are inviolable, and that any attempts by Japan to question this are categorically unacceptable and illegitimate.
The visit by Putin to the disputed island has also been seen as a move to rally support from China and North Korea against Japan's "aggressive" response. In the long term, Japan's predictable protest to Putin's visit would give Russia, China, and North Korean an opportunity to rally together against Japan's response.
The circumstances for Japan-Russia rapprochement are unfavorable, with Japan having joined the United States and European states in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia. After Japan imposed sanctions, Russia formally suspended peace treaty negotiations and canceled visa-free travel for Japanese nationals to visit ancestral graves on the disputed islands.
The visit by Putin to the disputed island has also been seen as a move to maximize political and diplomatic benefits, particularly with a lower house election in Russia scheduled for this September. The visit came amid ongoing naval drills by Russia's Pacific Fleet near the disputed islands, which also earned a sharp protest from Japan.
## Japan's Response to Putin's Visit
Japan's response to Putin's visit will be calibrated to what steps Russia takes next. In the short term, Japan's response will be limited by its energy vulnerability due to the ongoing Iran war. Japan imported 9 percent of its total LNG imports from Russia and received an extension from the United States for its continued exemption to import LNG from Sakhalin-2 from June to December 2026.
In the medium term, Japan should further strengthen ties with European countries also dealing with the Russian threat. Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi has argued that it is difficult to cut off Russian LNG at this time, but this moment should be a wake-up call to start treating Japan's energy security with the seriousness that it deserves.
## The Way Forward for Japan-Russia Relations
The visit by Putin to the disputed island has further strained relations between Japan and Russia. However, there are steps that Japan can take to strengthen its position and improve relations with Russia in the long term. Japan needs to bring more renewable energy online and strengthen ties with European countries also dealing with the Russian threat.
In the long term, Japan needs to bring more renewable energy online. If it is difficult to cut off Russian LNG at this time, then let this moment be a wake-up call to start treating Japan's energy security with the seriousness that it deserves.
### Energy Security for Japan
Japan's energy vulnerability due to the ongoing Iran war has limited its ability to respond to Russia's actions. Japan imported 9 percent of its total LNG imports from Russia and received an extension from the United States for its continued exemption to import LNG from Sakhalin-2 from June to December 2026.
| Import Type | Japan's Import | Russia's Import | | --- | --- | --- | | LNG | 9% | - | | Petroleum | 90% | - | | Total | - | - |
The visit by Putin to the disputed island has highlighted the importance of energy security for Japan. Japan needs to bring more renewable energy online and strengthen ties with European countries also dealing with the Russian threat.
