Japan condemns Putin’s visit to disputed Kuril Islands as “absolutely unacceptable”

Japan condemned Vladimir Putin’s first visit to Russia-administered Kuril Islands on Thursday, calling it “absolutely unacceptable.” Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the trip “wounds” Japanese public sentiment and is incompatible with Japan’s stance that the islands are “historically” and legally Japanese territory. Japan’s foreign minister also strongly protested the visit. The Kurils dispute has blocked a post–World War Two peace treaty between Russia and Japan for decades.