Putin visited Iturup, a Japan-claimed island in Russia’s Kuril chain near Hokkaido, on Thursday, according to Russian state media.
The visit came a day after Russia held major naval exercises in its Far East and North Korea, a Russian ally, launched a ballistic missile towards waters off the Korean Peninsula.
Japan Protests Visit
Russia and Japan have never signed a formal peace treaty to officially end their World War Two hostilities.
The unresolved dispute over the Kuril Islands remains a major obstacle to a peace agreement. Japan refers to the disputed islands as the Northern Territories.
State news agency TASS described Putin’s trip as his first in-person visit to the island chain.
During the visit, Putin toured the Yasny fish-processing plant on Iturup after overseeing naval exercises in Russia’s Far East.
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Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi protested the visit in a post on X.
“The northern territories, including Etorofu, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and based on international law,” Motegi said. “Japan strongly protests this visit.”
Putin Tours Fish Plant
Russian television footage showed Putin wearing a dark suit while standing beside two large tuna and halibut at the fish-processing facility.
Officials briefed him on the fishing industry and the migratory behaviour of fish.
Putin also sampled local fish roe during the visit.
Later, he spoke with residents of Iturup about the weather.
“What lovely weather you have there, just like a resort!” Putin told the group.
“And we thought you arranged this!” a woman replied jokingly.
Visit Follows North Korean Missile Launch
Putin’s visit also followed a ballistic missile launch by North Korea on Wednesday.
The missile travelled towards waters east of the Korean Peninsula, according to reports.
The launch came days before major joint military exercises involving South Korea and the United States.
Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned the exercises, describing them as a threat to North Korea.
Putin’s visit to the disputed island, alongside the Russian naval drills and North Korean missile launch, comes amid heightened security tensions in East Asia.
