Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Iturup, a Japan-claimed island at the end of the Kuril chain near Hokkaido, Russian media reported on Thursday.
The visit came a day after major naval drills and a missile launch by Russia’s ally North Korea.
Moscow and Tokyo have never signed a formal World War Two peace treaty, with the unresolved territorial dispute over the islands remaining a major obstacle. Japan calls the islands the Northern Territories.
State news agency TASS described Putin’s trip as his first in person to the island chain.
During the visit, Putin went to the Yasny fish-processing plant on Iturup after overseeing naval drills in Russia’s Far East.
Japan’s foreign minister protested against the visit on X.
“The northern territories, including Etorofu, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and based on international law,” said Toshimitsu Motegi. “Japan strongly protests this visit.”
Vesti TV channel images showed Putin in a dark suit standing in a room and looking at two large tuna and halibut on a table, while two officials spoke about fishing and the migratory behaviour of fish.
He also stopped to try local fish roe.
“What lovely weather you have there, just like a resort!” Putin told a group of Iturup locals.
“And we thought you arranged this!” a woman, who appeared to be in her 30s, joked back.
The visit follows Wednesday’s firing of a ballistic missile by North Korea towards waters off the east of the Korean peninsula.
The launch came days before major joint military exercises by South Korea and the United States, which Pyongyang has long denounced.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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