Japan protests Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands

Japan has expressed strong protest over Vladimir Putin's first visit to the Kuril Islands, an archipelago that the Japanese government considers part of its territory. The visit, which took place in the Far East, has generated diplomatic tensions between the two countries, which have an unresolved conflict over the sovereignty of these islands since the end of World War II.

According to reports, Tokyo rejected Putin's visit and has submitted a formal complaint to Moscow. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Kuril Islands are Japanese territory that must be returned, reiterating its position on the issue.

The Japanese government also indicated that it is fundamental for its claims over the islands to be respected, while the Russian president's visit was seen as a provocative act amid growing friction between Japan and Russia. The dispute over these islands has been a point of tension in bilateral relations.

The situation reflects a constant challenge for both countries in their attempt to resolve their historical territorial differences, while adding a new layer to the complexity of regional politics in the Pacific area.