Russian President Vladimir Putin (R), joins Pacific Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral Viktor Liina (L), on the bridge of the Guards missile cruiser Varyag on Wednesday during naval exercises off the coast of Sakhalin region. Photo by Gavril Grigorov/Kremlin Pool/EPA
Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Japan issued a stern rebuke to Moscow on Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a disputed chain of islands off Hokkaido that were occupied by Russia at the end of World War II.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in a post on X strongly condemned Putin's visit to Etorofu Island -- Iturup to the Russians -- the third of the four southernmost Kiril Islands about 80 miles northeast of the Japanese mainland, saying it was part of Japan.
"We have received reports today that Russian President Putin has visited Etorofu Island. The Northern Four Islands, including Etorofu Island, are an inherent part of Japan's territory -- both historically and under international law -- and Japan strongly protests this visit," said Motegi.
Russia's state-run TASS news agency said Putin visited Iturup as part of a trip to Russia's Sakhalin region.
