‘Completely Unacceptable’: Japan Erupts Over Putin’s Visit To Contested Island

August 13, 2026 1:25 PM ET Japanese heads of state responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit Thursday to an island that is disputed between the two nations.Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that the government strongly protests Putin’s visit to Iturup Island and said that he was only made aware of it that day. He added that the Northern Territories, including the island, are Japanese “both historically and under international law.” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: CCP Intelligence Official Buys Building Steps From White House)The island, also known in Japan as Etorofu, is part of the Kuril Islands chain and located around 90 miles from Hokkaido. Both Japan and Russia claim possession of four islands in the chain that stretches between the two nations.Japanese Prime Minister